The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) says it has committed about N2.2 billion to the development of Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited (OSDL), a sugar factory in Iseyin, Oyo State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the council disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the 300-tonnes-per-day (TCD) greenfield sugar mill had reached the commissioning and test-running stage.
According to the NSDC, the project was developed under the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) through its Backward Integration Programme, which aims to strengthen domestic sugar production.
The council said its financial intervention covered the procurement of the factory’s core sugar mill, sugarcane development and operational support.
It explained that an initial sum of about N1.64 billion was provided for the procurement of the 300 TCD sugar mill, with additional funding released as the project progressed, bringing its total commitment to approximately N2.2 billion.
The Oyo State Government also contributed an estimated N850 million in equity funding to complete outstanding works at the facility, the council added.
Kamar Bakrin, executive secretary and chief executive officer of the NSDC, said the factory’s readiness for commissioning reflected the collective efforts of the council, the state government, project promoters and local farming communities.
He assured that the council would continue to support the facility as it transitions to full-scale commercial production.
“Our work does not end here. The NSDC will remain engaged as OSDL moves into full-scale commercial production, and we expect this project to serve as proof that Nigeria’s sugar sector can be built on locally grown cane,” Bakrin said.
The council explained that the project began as a cooperative farming initiative involving communities in Iseyin before evolving into an operational sugar manufacturing facility through sustained financial, technical and institutional support.
It added that the factory is expected to help increase domestic sugar production and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported sugar.
With the facility now at the commissioning and test-running stage, the project is expected to progress into commercial production, potentially strengthening sugarcane cultivation and related industrial activities in Oyo State.
