FG Commissions Nigeria’s First Sugar Research Institute In Kwara

As part of the effort towards ensuring the nation’s sugar industry receives the required supports for economic prosperity, the Federal Government (FG) has commissioned Nigerian first sugar research institute named Nigerian Sugar Institute (NSI) in Kwara State, where both research on sugar produce and training of students would be conducted.

The apex government, through its sugar regulatory body, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), explained that continuous engagement of major operators and Sugar Council on options to address the manpower needs of the industry aligned providentially with the selection of the sugar industry for the pilot scheme for building technical capacity to enhance industrial development by the Nigeria Industrial Policy & Competitiveness Advisory Council (NIPCAC), chaired by His Excellency, the Vice President.

The Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Dr. Latif Busari, disclosed that prior to registration of NSI, the Sugar Council and the industry operators collated the various technical manpower need for covering the plan period between 2017-2023, identified the training programmes and developed curriculum for the courses that would be offered at the Institute.

During commissioning of the institute yesterday in Kwara, Busari said that NSI is a critical enabler for the implementation of the NSMP, embodying three backup pillars that would support drive for a virile and competitive sugar industry:

According to him, the institute will serve in the areas of Research, Development and Innovation.

“It will also focus on Technical Manpower Development and Provision of clean and pure seed cane for growers, all based on the most advanced technologies available.

“I am indeed delighted with the commissioning of the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI), Ilorin. This ceremony is a significant milestone and the culmination of a process that started after the Mid-Term Review (MTR) meeting of sugar industry stakeholders, held to review the implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) in June, 2017”.

Source:- TheGuild