Nigeria’s Federal Government has handed over a new Leather Enterprise Centre to the Audu Bako College of Agriculture in Dambatta, Kano State. The facility will be used for training, skills development and enterprise promotion within Nigeria’s leather value chain.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha said the government is repositioning Nigeria’s leather industry to attract investment, create jobs and strengthen the livestock sector as a contributor to economic growth.

He described the Leather Enterprise Centre as a strategic investment in skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship that will help young Nigerians gain industry relevant skills while supporting one of the country’s key non oil value chains.

According to the minister, Nigeria produces more than 50 million hides and skins each year and Kano accounts for over 80% of the country’s leather processing capacity.

He said rising global demand for Nigerian leather creates significant opportunities for export earnings, wealth creation and industrial development.

“The future belongs to value addition. This centre will nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs, processors and innovators who will drive the growth of Nigeria’s leather industry.”

– Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, Nigeria

Maiha encouraged students to focus on entrepreneurship rather than job seeking and said the ministry would work with development finance institutions and state governments to improve access to financing and productive assets for viable agribusiness ventures.

He also asked the college to operate the facility efficiently and develop it into a centre of excellence for practical training, research, business incubation and leather processing.

The minister further called for stronger collaboration between the college, industry operators, development partners, financial institutions and other stakeholders so the centre can continue responding to changing industry needs.

Representing the Kano State Government, Commissioner for Livestock Development Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu said the project would promote innovation, value addition, youth empowerment and industrial growth across the state.

“This Centre will provide practical training, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, enhance research and equip beneficiaries with skills required to transform our abundant hides and skin into high-value products for both domestic and international markets.”

– Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, Commissioner, Kano State Ministry of Livestock Development

Following the ceremony, the minister toured the facility and inspected its equipment and operational sections that will be used for leather training, skills development and enterprise support.