Nigeria’s Federal Government has called for increased private sector investment in leather manufacturing, livestock processing and fodder production to create jobs and expand non oil exports. Minister of Livestock Development Idi Maiha made the call at AGROMEQA Expo 2026 in Abuja.
Speaking at the expo themed “Technology and Investment for Agro-Expo” Maiha said Nigeria’s large domestic market offered opportunities for livestock businesses to expand production and meet growing demand.
He identified leather manufacturing as an opportunity for Nigerian businesses, noting that the country already supplies leather to European and Asian markets. An earlier assessment estimated the potential value of Nigeria’s leather industry at more than $1 billion he said.
Maiha urged investors to move beyond semi processed leather and expand into finished products such as footwear, bags and upholstery.
He highlighted the need for improved hide preservation methods, modern tanning equipment and advanced manufacturing technologies to support this transition.
The minister also stressed the importance of animal identification, disease surveillance, laboratory testing and traceability systems to improve product safety and meet international export standards.
