Babatunji Wusu –
The Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) has announced plans to establish mini tanneries across all 36 states of Nigeria as part of efforts to revitalize the country’s leather industry. This initiative is designed to enhance the processing of hides and skins into leather products, boosting the local economy and creating significant employment opportunities.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NILEST’s Director-General, Mohammed Yakubu, who also chairs the implementation committee of Nigeria’s national leather policy, emphasized the importance of expanding the country’s tannery infrastructure. He stated that additional tanneries are crucial to provide the necessary technology and facilities for proper leather processing, which has the potential to generate substantial foreign exchange and support Nigeria’s drive for economic diversification.
Yakubu explained that Nigeria was once a major player in the global leather industry, with 84 leather industries, some of which had branches in Italy and Spain. However, the sector collapsed due to poor infrastructure, particularly the high cost of power, which accounts for over 50% of production expenses. To restore Nigeria’s competitiveness, especially against major players like China, Brazil, and India, Yakubu called for government concessions, particularly in the form of affordable and stable electricity supply to the industry.
The establishment of mini tanneries is seen as a solution to the current challenge of excess hides and skins being underutilized. In Lagos alone, about 100,000 cows are slaughtered daily, producing vast amounts of hides and skins. However, only 48 industries are able to process these materials into leather, leaving much of it to be consumed as “ponmo” (a popular delicacy made from cow skin). By setting up mini tanneries in different regions, Yakubu believes Nigeria can reduce reliance on consumption of hides and skins for food, create more leather products, and eventually export these products globally.
These mini tanneries, which would process between one to five tonnes of leather weekly, are part of a broader strategy to reduce production costs and stimulate the growth of more leather industries across the country. NILEST plans to encourage the public to stop eating ponmo, which is a significant challenge for the leather sector, as this demand diverts hides from the processing industry.
Yakubu also highlighted that the establishment of these mini tanneries would not only help in processing hides into leather but also support youth employment and attract foreign exchange, which could significantly boost Nigeria’s economy. He stressed that while tax concerns are secondary, addressing the power issue is paramount to the success of the leather industry revival. The goal is to ensure that the sector can thrive again and that Nigeria becomes a key player in the global leather market.
