The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and the Lee Group have announced plans to establish a large-scale sugar production project in Taraba State, signalling a major step toward Nigeria’s ambition of achieving sugar self-sufficiency. The initiative is expected to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen rural development across the state.
A high-level delegation from NSDC and Lee Group visited Jalingo, the state capital, to engage the Taraba State Government and secure support for the project. The council highlighted its mandate to go beyond policy formulation, extending to capacity building, technical assistance, sugarcane research, and facilitation of financing and land acquisition for investors.
Representatives of the Lee Group emphasised the company’s commitment to a lasting partnership with the state government. Through its subsidiary, GNAAL Sugar, the company aims to establish a modern sugar processing facility, implement an inclusive out-grower scheme for local farmers, and boost the state’s revenue base while fostering small business growth in farming communities.
Taraba State officials welcomed the project, pointing to the state’s rich arable land and abundant natural resources as ideal conditions for large-scale agricultural and industrial investment. The government pledged to provide a conducive environment for the initiative, reinforcing its commitment to attracting strategic investments that align with national development objectives.
The collaboration between NSDC and the Lee Group is poised to not only enhance local sugar production but also create value for farmers, expand industrial capacity, and contribute to Nigeria’s broader goal of economic diversification. By linking agricultural productivity with industrial processing, the project represents a model for sustainable development that could be replicated across other states.
