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Chinese Investing $1bn into Nigeria’s sugar Industry

In the agreement, SINOMACH is set to start by constructing a sugar production plant and sugarcane plantation with an annual production capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes, while the NSDC will facilitate and assist in obtaining the necessary authorisations, approvals and permissions to undertake the project.

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SINOMACH, a Chinese conglomerate, is investing $1 billion in Nigeria’s sugar Industry.

The memorandum of understanding for the development of a sugarcane cultivation and processing plant capable of producing one million metric tonnes of sugar has been signed by the investor and the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

In the agreement, SINOMACH is set to start by constructing a sugar production plant and sugarcane plantation with an annual production capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes, while the NSDC will facilitate and assist in obtaining the necessary authorisations, approvals and permissions to undertake the project.

While SINOMACH is expected to contribute its vast expertise, resources, and experience in the execution of the project on an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) basis, the biggest advantage of the arrangement is that the Chinese conglomerate would also be financing it.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the Executive Secretary/CEO of NSDC, Kamar Bakrin, said that 2025 represents a pivotal year for accelerated development in Nigeria.

Bakrin said: “It is a critical period during which we expect to make significant strides in our national journey towards economic self-sufficiency and food security, especially given the fiscal pressure that Nigeria faces.“

A robust sugar industry will deliver several benefits to Nigeria. These include the creation of thousands of sustainable jobs across the value chain. Sugar, by its very nature, leads to extensive rural infrastructure development.

For Nigeria, it will also result in substantial foreign exchange savings, as it will substitute imports, which currently account for the bulk of the country’s sugar consumption.

We envision a sugar sector, when fully developed, that will serve as a blueprint for Nigeria’s broader industrialisation strategy. And, of course, China, being the world’s leader in industrialisation, can easily relate to this.

“We believe that the sugar industry can serve as a model in this regard, as it allows us to adopt a creative and transformative approach to achieving scale and speed – critical elements for Nigeria’s development.

Specific elements that we believe, if successfully implemented in the sugar sector, can be replicated in other areas of Nigeria’s industrialisation include a strategic approach to sector development, the establishment of enabling policy frameworks, effective aggregation of critical production inputs, acquisition of technical skills and competencies and innovative financing solutions.”

He said that the signing marked the beginning of what could evolve into a long-term relationship capable of delivering as much as one million metric tonnes of locally produced sugar, thereby strengthening the country’s domestic production capacity and reducing import dependence.

“It is indeed a unique model, as it combines both EPC and development financing—an essential requirement for agro-industrial development in the country,” Bakrin said.

The Vice President of SINOMACH, Li Xiao Yu, acknowledged that as Africa’s largest economy, the country’s vigorous implementation of the NSMP to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production is laudable.

“We deeply admire this vision – it is not only an industrial policy but also a sweet revolution tied to food sovereignty and economic dignity.

We firmly believe that, through joint efforts, the success of the plantation and sugar mill project will enhance Nigeria’s sugar self-sufficiency, spur economic development in surrounding areas, create substantial employment, modernise the agricultural value chain, and generate long-term and sustainable social benefits.

“We view our partnership with NSDC not merely as a commercial endeavour, but as a concrete step toward implementing the shared vision of our two Heads of State to enhance agricultural cooperation and promote common development,” he said.

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Business

CBN approves Union Bank, Titan merger

The bank has assured customers that there will be no disruption to existing services, account details will remain unchanged, and customers will continue to access a full suite of products and services seamlessly.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved the merger of Union Bank of Nigeria with Titan Trust Bank Limited,.

This is disclosed in a statement from the bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Olufunmilayo Aluko.

Under the terms of the merger, Union Bank has fully absorbed Titan Trust Bank’s operations and assets.

The new institution will continue to operate under the Union Bank brand, while Titan Trust Bank ceases to exist as a separate entity.

With an expanded footprint of over 293 service centres and 937 ATMs nationwide, supported by strengthened digital channels, Union Bank is poised to deliver enhanced value across retail, SME and corporate segments.

Union Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Yetunde Oni, described the development as “a pivotal moment in our 108-year journey and a launchpad for delivering greater value to our customers.

By blending stability with innovation, we are better positioned to meet the evolving needs of Nigerians and to be their most trusted financial partner.”

The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bayo Adeleke, added: “This is a new era of growth, collaboration, and shared prosperity. By bringing together the strengths of both institutions, we are committed to creating lasting value for our customers, shareholders, and communities while advancing Nigeria’s financial inclusion agenda.”

The bank has assured customers that there will be no disruption to existing services, account details will remain unchanged, and customers will continue to access a full suite of products and services seamlessly, with an accelerated push towards enhanced digital solutions.

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We are under attack – NNPCL GCEO, Ojulari

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Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has announced that he and his management team are currently under serious threat.

Ojulari said his offense is the reforms he has introduced in the oil and gas sector in line with the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu to turn around the moribund refinery.

He raised this alarm on Thursday, lamenting that some powerful elements are plotting to remove him from the seat.

The NNPCL boss raised the alarm when he received the delegation of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, led by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, at the company’s headquarters, Abuja.

Details shortly…

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Govt, stakeholders to explore industrial policy at W’Africa Manufacturing summit

The collaboration will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit & Exhibition 2025, scheduled for October 2025, in Lagos.

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•The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh

The Federal Government has committed to exploring strategies for implementing the new National Industrial Policy to scale industries and transform West Africa’s economic future, alongside manufacturing stakeholders at an upcoming summit.

The collaboration will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit & Exhibition 2025, scheduled for October 2025, in Lagos.

The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, at a press conference on Wednesday in Lagos, declared that Nigeria will build its industrial policy on past executive orders targeted at promoting local content, but with a stronger push through the Nigeria First policy.

He said, “The previous administrations have tried to enable industrial growth by coming up with various executive orders.

Those include Executive Orders Three and Five, which were targeted at matters about public procurement and giving priority to Nigerian-made goods.

With the announcement of the Nigeria First policy, what becomes of it will be a function of what this administration does.”

Enoh noted that the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment would follow up on the policy with a nationwide campaign to promote patronage of Nigerian goods and services.

He explained, “The hope is that in the next few months, we’re going to start a national campaign on buying made-in-Nigeria goods and services to follow up the presidential pronouncement of the Nigeria First policy.

We found out that the country could earn about N3tn more in the short term if we can run a successful campaign that can also shift the attitudes of Nigerians.

(The Punch)

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