FMN Deepens Sugar Self-Sufficiency Drive, Hosts Industry Minister At Sunti Estate
By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN) has reinforced Nigeria’s push toward agricultural industrialization with the hosting of the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, at the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate (SGSE) in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The high-level visit signals the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to scaling domestic sugar production and reducing reliance on imports, with SGSE positioned as a flagship example of policy-driven, private-sector-led industrial agriculture.
FMN, through its subsidiary Golden Sugar Company, has been a key participant in the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) and the Backward Integration Programme (BIP) since 2012. The Sunti estate spans approximately 21,500 hectares, with about 3,700 hectares currently under cultivation. Commissioned in 2016, the facility has a production capacity of 600,000 tonnes of cane per season, expandable to one million tonnes.
Model for Policy-Driven Industrial Growth
During a tour of the estate, Enoh described SGSE as a “proof-of-policy” project, demonstrating the viability and scalability of large-scale agro-industrial investments in Nigeria.
“This is a functioning industry with all the key elements—employment, production, and value creation,” the Minister stated. “At peak periods, the estate engages up to 4,500 workers, aligning directly with government priorities on job creation.”
He noted that while progress has been made under the NSMP, Nigeria must expand land under sugarcane cultivation to fully optimize production capacity and achieve self-sufficiency.
Strengthening the Sugar Value Chain
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to sustained oversight of the BIP, emphasizing the need for continuous investment and operational scale-up across the value chain.
“We will continue with constant monitoring to ensure that programme objectives are achieved. Expanding cultivation remains critical to maximizing processing capacity and reducing the country’s sugar import bill,” he added.
Socio-Economic Impact Across Host Communities
Beyond production, the Sunti estate has delivered measurable socio-economic benefits across 28 host communities, including investments in road infrastructure, potable water, healthcare, education, rural electrification, and employment generation.
These outcomes, according to the Minister, validate the NSMP as an effective framework for attracting investment, boosting local production, and advancing economic diversification.
FMN Reaffirms Strategic Commitment
In his remarks, FMN Group CEO Boye Olusanya reiterated the company’s long-term commitment to backward integration and national food security.
“Sunti Golden Sugar Estate reflects FMN’s enduring commitment to feeding and enriching the lives of millions of Nigerians. Our investments are anchored on a strong public-private partnership model that supports sustainable growth and development,” he said.
Olusanya added that FMN’s broader strategy focuses on building resilient food systems across its core value chains, including grains, sugar, cassava starch, feeds and protein, and edible oils.
Capacity Building and Industry Collaboration
A major highlight of the visit was the commissioning of a state-of-the-art training centre at SGSE, designed to upskill workers and community stakeholders in line with global best practices.
The visit concluded with a renewed call for deeper collaboration between government and industry players to scale local production, strengthen value chains, and accelerate Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.
About Sunti Golden Sugar Estate
The Sunti Golden Sugar Estate is one of Nigeria’s pioneering greenfield BIP projects, integrating large-scale farming with processing through its Outgrower Programme, which supports smallholder farmers and advances national sugar self-sufficiency goals.
About Flour Mills of Nigeria
Established in 1960, FMN has evolved into one of Africa’s leading food and agro-allied companies. Through its flagship Golden Penny brand and diversified operations, the Group continues to play a central role in enhancing food security and improving livelihoods across Nigeria.
