Ilorin: The Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, has commended ongoing reforms at the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI), urging its full operationalisation. Enoh expressed his appreciation during an official visit to the institute located in Ilorin, Kwara. He praised the efforts of the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, and his team for their dedication.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister highlighted the strategic importance of the institute in Nigeria’s quest for industrialisation and sugar self-sufficiency. He emphasized the necessity for the NSI to act as a catalyst for capacity development, technical expertise, and innovation within the country’s sugar sector. Enoh pointed out that the institute plays a pivotal role in developing skilled manpower, offering research support, and providing agricultural inputs.
Enoh commended the policy reforms, capacity building, and infrastructure upgrades at the institute, noting the significant progress made within a short timeframe. He called for continued efforts to ensure that the institute becomes fully operational and fulfills its mandate. The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting both the NSDC and NSI, advocating for ongoing collaboration among stakeholders.
The NSI, established in 2019 and commissioned in 2021, functions as a national hub for research, training, and technical support in the sugar industry. It features biofactory and tissue culture facilities that aid varietal development, seedcane multiplication, and applied research. Designed as a shared platform, the institute aims to consolidate research efforts and provide access to improved planting materials, training, and technical services across the industry.
Since October 2023, under Bakrin’s leadership, the institute has undergone reforms that have transformed it into a functional, industry-oriented center. Over 60 staff members have participated in capacity-building programs focusing on project management, stakeholder engagement, and technical operations. Technical training has emphasized laboratory processes, soil analysis, and equipment maintenance to boost operational efficiency.
The institute has also launched structured training programs through its boot camp initiative, covering sugar processing, refining, safety, and environmental compliance. Additionally, it has provided training support to industry players, including staff from Sunti Golden Sugar Estate and new hires at BUA Foods’ LASUCO operations. Stakeholders have acknowledged that these reforms are enhancing the institute’s role as a center of excellence, promoting growth and competitiveness in Nigeria’s sugar industry.