The Nigerian leather industry is set to unlock enormous economic opportunities, with the potential to generate an estimated N23 billion (~$14.91 million USD) and create 700,000 jobs, according to the federal government. This revelation came during the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria’s Annual Lecture, themed “Food Security in Nigeria, Which Way Forward.”
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, emphasized the untapped potential within the leather industry, which he described as a hidden gem in the country’s livestock value chain. He highlighted the ministry’s recent efforts to revive and maximize this underutilized resource.
“For 64 years, the leather industry was overlooked until this administration established the Livestock Ministry,”
Idi Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development
He further explained that Nigeria’s abundant natural resources, including vast land and water bodies, can sustain livestock production for both local and international markets.
The minister outlined the far-reaching benefits of developing the leather sector. Harnessing the value chain could contribute to:
- Job Creation:
Employing 700,000 individuals across various levels of production and distribution. - Economic Growth:
Adding N23 billion (~$14.91 million USD) to the nation’s economy. - Export Potential:
Enabling Nigeria to become a global player in exporting livestock products such as beef, dairy, hides, and skin.
Maiha also highlighted opportunities in processing by-products like bones, horns, hooves, and organic fertilizers, which could further diversify income streams.
