The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, has commended ongoing reforms at the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI), urging its full operationalisation.

Mr Enoh, in a statement on Thursday, gave the commendation during an official visit to the institute in Ilorin, Kwara.

He praised the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Kamar Bakrin, and his team for their commitment.

The minister said the institute must become a driver of capacity development, technical expertise and innovation within Nigeria’s sugar sector.

He noted that as Nigeria pursued industrialisation and sugar self-sufficiency, the institute had a strategic role in providing skilled manpower, research support and agricultural inputs.

He said, “I have found the NSDC executive secretary to be passionate, focused and committed to achieving the objectives of the NSI.”

Mr Enoh added that policy reforms, capacity building and infrastructure upgrades at the institute were commendable, given the short timeframe.

He urged sustained efforts to ensure the institute became fully operational in line with its mandate.

“The role the institute has to play in driving local production and industrialisation of the sugar sector is critical,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting NSDC and NSI, calling for continued collaboration among stakeholders.

The NSI, established in 2019 and commissioned in 2021, serves as a national hub for research, training and technical support in the sugar industry.

The institute operates biofactory and tissue culture facilities that support varietal development, seedcane multiplication and applied research.

It was designed as a shared platform to consolidate research and ensure access to improved planting materials, training and technical services across the industry.

Since October 2023, Mr Bakrin has led reforms that repositioned the institute into a functional, industry-facing centre.

More than 60 members of staff had undergone capacity-building programmes covering project management, stakeholder engagement and technical operations.

On the technical side, training focused on laboratory processes, soil analysis and equipment maintenance to enhance operational efficiency.

The institute has also introduced structured training programmes under its bootcamp initiative, covering sugar processing, refining, safety and environmental compliance.

In addition, it supported industry players with training, including staff of Sunti Golden Sugar Estate and new hires at BUA Foods’ LASUCO operations.

Stakeholders say the reforms are strengthening the institute’s role as a centre of excellence, supporting growth and competitiveness in Nigeria’s sugar industry. 

(NAN)