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A sugar processing plant in Iseyin, Oyo State, has advanced towards commercial operations after more than 10 years of development and financial backing from the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).
The facility, operated by Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited, has entered the commissioning and test-running phase. The factory is designed to process 300 tonnes of sugarcane daily and was established under the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan to strengthen local sugar production.
The NSDC disclosed that it invested approximately ₦2.2bn in the project. This includes an initial ₦1.64bn used to acquire the factory’s main processing equipment, alongside additional funding for sugarcane cultivation and operational support.
The Oyo State Government also provided about ₦850m in equity funding to complete outstanding work at the facility. The project initially began as a cooperative farming initiative involving local communities before developing into an industrial sugar-processing plant.
NSDC Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Kamar Bakrin, said the council would continue supporting the company as it prepares for full-scale commercial production. He expressed optimism that the project would demonstrate the potential of locally cultivated sugarcane to support Nigeria’s sugar industry.
The factory’s progress is expected to contribute to efforts to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported sugar by expanding domestic production. It also highlights the role of government investment, local farmers and private-sector participation in developing the country’s agricultural and industrial sectors.
