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Nigerian Govt To Curb Ponmo Consumption, Boost Leather Production

Published

1 month ago

Nov 11, 2024.

The Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) is advancing plans to establish mini tanneries across all states to boost leather production and reduce reliance on hides and skin for consumption as “ponmo.”

NILEST Director-General, Mohammed Yakubu, highlighted this strategy in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, stating that expanding tannery infrastructure is crucial for improving leather processing capabilities, increasing employment, and attracting foreign exchange.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that each Yakubu emphasized the sector’s potential in diversifying Nigeria’s economy, pointing out that the country’s leather industry, once globally recognized with operations extending to Europe, has declined due to inadequate infrastructure, particularly costly and unreliable power.

“The leather industry used to have 84 factories, some with branches in Italy and Spain. We want that era back,” he stated, underscoring that power accounts for over 50% of production costs, hindering industry revival. Yakubu called on the federal government to provide affordable, consistent energy as a key measure to revitalize the sector.

Yakubu noted that mini tanneries, processing up to five tonnes of leather per week, would help address the excess hides produced daily, which currently exceed the processing capacity of existing industries. In Lagos alone, about 100,000 cows are slaughtered each day, with only 48 companies available to process the skins.

Ponmo Consumption Leather Production

By establishing these tanneries, Yakubu believes that Nigeria can better compete globally with countries like China, Brazil, and India. He added that the ongoing campaign to reduce ponmo consumption will support this initiative, as the new tanneries will buy and process hides, creating more job opportunities and opening export channels for Nigerian leather.