Sugar-cane and Sugar Industry in Nigeria

It is estimated that domestic production accounts for only 5% of the sugar consumed in Nigeria, and that Nigeria imports over 90% of its sugar requirement. There are clear implications of this import-dependency vis-à-vis the economy and food security. Observers of the industry contend however that there are favourable agro-climatic conditions for sugar production in Nigeria. They reckon that with the proper focus, and political will to harness available resources, Nigeria could not...
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It is estimated that domestic production accounts for only 5% of the sugar consumed in Nigeria, and that Nigeria imports over 90% of its sugar requirement. There are clear implications of this import-dependency vis-à-vis the economy and food security. Observers of the industry contend however that there are favourable agro-climatic conditions for sugar production in Nigeria. They reckon that with the proper focus, and political will to harness available resources, Nigeria could not only satisfy domestic sugar requirements, but also generate a surplus for export. The purpose of this study is twofold. First it aims to serve as a definitive text - of which there is as yet no other - on the history, production and utilisation of sugar-cane, sugar and its by-products in Nigeria; bringing together all available relevant information on sugar-cane and sugar science, and highlighting useful technologies that are applicable to the Nigerian situation. The second purpose of the volume is to review the progress of the industry over the last two decades, since when the last serious review of the industry was conducted. Based on this analysis, the study concludes with a series of recommendations for the future of the industry. The author is an agronomist who has held academic, research, and advisory positions in the sugar sector since the 1970s.