National Sugar Development Council
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1993 |
| Jurisdiction | Federal Republic of Nigeria |
| Headquarters | Abuja, Nigeria |
| Annual budget | 1.5 bn NGN (2022) |
| Ministers responsible | |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent department | Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment |
| Child agency |
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| Key document |
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| Website | www |
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) is a government agency operating under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment in Nigeria.[1] It was established by Decree 88 of 1993, now an Act of the National Assembly, Act Cap. No. 78 LFN of 2004, Amended in 2015, to oversee and facilitate the development of the sugar industry, aiming for self-sufficiency in sugar production and fostering economic growth.[2]
History
[edit]The NSDC's establishment aimed to rectify the lack of coordinated planning and supervision within Nigeria's sugar sub-sector.[3] Before its formation, the country struggled to achieve adequate local sugar production, leading to over-reliance on imports, foreign exchange drainage, unemployment, and food insecurity.[4] The creation of the NSDC and the subsequent development of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) in 2012, approved by the government in September 2012, underscored the commitment to revitalize the industry and diversify the nation's economy and revenue sources, focusing on the 10-year plan for sugar self-sufficiency from 2013 to 2023.[5][6]
Functions
[edit]As per its enabling Act, the NSDC is tasked with advising the Federal Government on various matters regarding sugar production and consumption,[7] regulating sugar activities in Nigeria, collecting and disseminating sugar-related information, administering the Sugar Industry Development Fund (SIDF), and representing Nigeria in international sugar organizations.[7] It also liaises with other agencies and private partners to bolster the sugar industry's development in the country.[8]
Structure
[edit]The NSDC is overseen by a Board of Directors chaired by the Minister of Finance and led by an Executive Secretary. The Board, composed of representatives from government and private sector stakeholders, formulates policies for NSDC's operations.[9] The organization is subdivided into five directorates responsible for specific areas of the sugar industry's growth and development.[9]
Achievements
[edit]NSDC's accomplishments since its inception include the development and implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan,[10] sugar quota allocation based on performance, collection and disbursement of funds from the Sugar Industry Development Fund, infrastructure development, and international representation in various sugar-related forums.[11]
Challenges
[edit]Challenges encountered by NSDC in achieving sugar self-sufficiency encompass inadequate funding, security issues in project locations,[6] low awareness of locally produced sugar, high production costs, competition from substandard products, environmental factors affecting cultivation, policy inconsistency, and insufficient political will to execute the NSMP.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Report Name: Sugar Annual" (PDF). Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "National Sugar Development Council Act" (PDF). Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "Rabiu urges FG to replicate the Nigerian Sugar Devt Council in the rice sector". Vanguard News. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ Attah, Solomon (26 June 2022). "Nigeria's dependence on imported sugar threatens self-sufficiency". Businessday NG. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ Feyisipo, Remi (7 September 2022). "Nigeria's sugar backward integration policy attracts N250bn investments". Businessday NG. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ a b Ogunyemi, Ifedayo (10 March 2022). "NSDC and Nigeria's strive to attain sugar self-sufficiency". Tribune Online. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ a b "What does the National Sugar Development Council do?". Daily Trust. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "FAO.org". Home (in French). Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ a b "National Sugar Development Council". National Sugar Development Council -. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "FG Seeks Govs' Support for Sugar Masterplan Implementation". THISDAYLIVE. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ Egole, Anozie (31 October 2022). "NSDC seeks governors' support on sugar masterplan implementation". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ Faith, Adeoye (28 March 2021). "FG tasks NSDC on self-sufficiency in sugar production". Tribune Online. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
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