Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, has commended Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN Plc) for its support in industrial growth and Job creation.
The Minister spoke during a visit to the company’s Sunti complex in Niger State, accompanied by Kamar Bakrin, the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council. The visit forms part of ongoing inspections of major sugar projects aimed at speeding up Nigeria’s goal of becoming self-sufficient in sugar production, in line with the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during the visit, Enoh said, “I am encouraged by the level of activity at the facility and the company’s contribution to employment and industrial growth.”
At peak operations, the plant employs around 4,500 workers, reflecting the sector’s potential to generate jobs.
The minister also urged FMN to significantly scale up sugar production at its subsidiary, Golden Sugar Company, targeting an annual output of 300,000 metric tonnes by 2030.
He emphasized that the country’s current sugar output remains far below its annual consumption of 1.8 million metric tonnes. He stressed that Golden Sugar Company must play a key role in closing the gap. He noted that while progress has been made under the government’s backward integration programme, production levels are still below expectations.
Boye Olusanya, Group Chief Executive Officer of Golden Sugar Company, said the firm currently cultivates about 6,600 hectares and produces around 20,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually. He added that the company plans to expand output to 290,000 metric tonnes by 2030.
Kamar Bakrin, the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council, also acknowledged the company’s progress but said more work is needed to achieve long-term goals. He stressed the need for accountability, efficiency and timely delivery across the sector.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting industrial expansion through incentives and funding, while also calling for faster progress to meet national targets.
The visit included a tour of the farm and factory, as well as the inauguration of a new sugar training school built at the complex to support skills development in the industry.
This initiative further highlights Flour Mills of Nigeria’s dedication to building local capacity and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s industrial future.
Flour Mills of Nigeria has built a strong reputation over the years for its consistent support towards national development through investments in agriculture, food security and industrial growth. The company continues to demonstrate commitment to the country by creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs while supporting local farmers and communities.
