The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) is a government agency under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Nigeria. It was established by Decree 88 of 1993, later enacted as Act Cap. No. 78 LFN of 2004 and amended in 2015, to oversee and coordinate the development of the sugar industry with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production.
History The NSDC was created to address the absence of coordinated planning and supervision in Nigeria's sugar sector. Before its establishment, Nigeria relied heavily on sugar imports, which contributed to foreign exchange losses, unemployment, and food insecurity. In 2012, the government approved the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), a ten-year framework (2013–2023) designed to achieve self-sufficiency and diversify the economy's revenue base.
The NSDC is overseen by a Board of Directors chaired by the Minister of Finance and led by an Executive Secretary. The Board includes representatives from government and private sector stakeholders and is responsible for policy direction. The organisation is divided into five directorates, each focusing on specific aspects of industry development.
Functions Under its enabling Act, the NSDC advises the Federal Government on sugar production and consumption, regulates industry activities, collects and disseminates information, administers the Sugar Industry Development Fund (SIDF), and represents Nigeria in international sugar organisations. It also works with other agencies and private partners to support the growth of the sugar sector.
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