The Federal Government has urged BUA Foods to fast-track the completion of its LASUCO sugar refinery in Kwara State as part of efforts to meet Nigeria’s self-sufficiency targets in sugar production.
The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, made the call while commencing inspections of sugar projects nationwide, beginning with the Lafiagi Sugar Company in Kwara State.
According to a statement issued by the ministry on Thursday, the visits align with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to relevant officials to accelerate Nigeria’s attainment of self-sufficiency in sugar production.
During the visit, the Minister conducted a comprehensive tour of LASUCO’s integrated sugar complex, which includes the sugar mill, ethanol plant, power infrastructure, irrigation systems, and over 700 hectares of existing sugarcane cultivation.
The project is designed as a 10,000-tonne cane-per-day sugar mill, with the capacity to produce up to 220,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar annually when fully operational.
While commending the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Sugar Development Council, Kamar Bakrin, Enoh said the level of motivation and monitoring provided to Backwards Integration Programme operators has been impactful.
He noted that the scale of infrastructure, volume of investment, and level of project advancement at LASUCO reflect commitment to the objectives of the Backwards Integration Programme.
Despite acknowledging the progress recorded by BUA at the site, the Minister emphasised that President Tinubu has mandated a “decisive move” from planning to production.
Enoh also acknowledged developments at the Lafiagi facility but stressed “the urgent need for accelerated sugarcane development to match factory capacity,” adding that farm expansion remains critical to achieving full operational readiness.
He reaffirmed, “The FG’s commitment to sustained engagement with serious investors, traditional institutions, and host communities, as Nigeria intensifies efforts to energise the sugar industry, conserve foreign exchange, create jobs, and deepen value chains.”
