BUA Foods Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving sugar self-sufficiency in Nigeria through the rapid development of its Lafiagi Sugar Company (LASUCO) Limited in Kwara State. The company recently hosted the Minister of State for Industry, Dr. John Enoh, alongside a delegation from the Nigerian Sugar Development Council, to inspect the facility and assess its progress.
LASUCO, now approximately 80 percent complete, is designed as a fully integrated sugar production plant capable of processing 10,000 tons of cane per day and producing 220,000 metric tons of refined sugar annually. The facility will also generate 35 megawatts of electricity from bagasse and produce 20 million litres of industrial ethanol each year. The project reflects BUA Foods’ broader commitment to industrial growth, agricultural development, and economic transformation under the federal government’s backward integration and sugar self-sufficiency agenda.
During the inspection, Dr. Enoh praised the significant infrastructure developments at LASUCO, including improved roads and community facilities. He emphasized the importance of sustained progress, noting, “LASUCO represents the largest greenfield factory among major players, with a 10,000 tons per day capacity, and we must see the project completed.”
Ahead of the plant tour, the BUA delegation—including Group Executive Director Alhaji Kabiru Rabiu and BUA Foods Managing Director Engr. Ayodele Abioye—visited the Emir of Lafiagi, His Royal Highness Alhaji Mohammed Kawu. Alhaji Kabiru Rabiu highlighted the facility’s scale, stating, “What we are building here will be the biggest sugar mill, plantation, and refinery in the country. While there have been delays, we are accelerating momentum and remain committed to our plantation and production goals.”
The Emir expressed full support for LASUCO, acknowledging the project’s potential benefits for the local community. Kamar Bakrin, executive secretary of the Nigerian Sugar Development Council, also reaffirmed the Council’s dedication to collaborating with BUA Foods to ensure timely project completion and long-term sector development, noting, “No one has invested in a sugar factory in this way as BUA Foods has.”
BUA Foods confirmed that construction at LASUCO will continue with increased intensity, underlining its long-term commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s sugar industry, supporting agricultural advancement, and driving economic revitalization.
