The Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), in collaboration with the Sugarcane Technologists’ Society of Nigeria (STSN), has hosted the second international annual conference of the society, with a call for the revitalisation of the sugarcane industry for national development.
The three-day conference took place at the Faculty of Agriculture Lecture Hall, Permanent Site Campus of the University.
The theme of the conference was “Renewed Hope of Boosting Sugarcane Value Chains from Farm to Factory for Sustainable Industrial Development.”
Declaring the event open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of FULafia, Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Aleruchi Chuku, said the University was delighted to host a gathering of scholars, industry players and development partners who are committed to repositioning Nigeria’s sugarcane sector.
Professor Abdul Rahman explained that sugarcane production holds vast potential for employment, food security, energy production and bioeconomic growth. He added that “the establishment of the Dangote Sugarcane Research Centre in FULafia is a step towards strengthening research, technology transfer and innovation in line with the national sugar master plan.”
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Emmanuel Hala Kwon-Ndung, described the theme of the conference as timely. He said that it reflects the renewed national and global commitment to invest in the sugarcane industry.
He noted that FULafia is proud to host the second edition of the conference after the maiden edition was held in Abuja. Kwon-Ndung commended the vice-chancellor and other stakeholders for their support and urged participants to “build bridges across disciplines and foster collaboration that would strengthen Nigeria’s sugarcane value chain from cultivation to processing.”
The international conference brought together academics, researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss pathways for advancing sugarcane research, technology, and sustainable industrial development.
The event also highlighted the importance of agricultural development, investment opportunities, and renewable energy in boosting Nigeria’s economy through the sugarcane industry.