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Nigeria To Generate 1Billion Dollars From Leather Products By 2025 – Minister
Nigeria is expected to generate about One Billion Dollars ($1Billion) from leather and leather products if well harnessed by year 2025.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji stated this while speaking at a summit with the theme “Enhancing Nigeria’s Leather Market For Optimal And Sustainable Economic Growth” held in Ilorin Kwara State Capital.
The summit was organised by the National Steering Committee On Leather and Leather Products Policy Implementation Plan in collaboration with Kwara State Government.
Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji stressed that there is the need for collaboration of all stakeholders to achieve the desired goal in the leather industry.
The Minister represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs Esuabana Nko-Asanye, advocated that proper arrangements should be put in place for animal Care and good feeding to develop quality hide and skin.
(From left the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Represented by Mrs Esuabana Nko-Asanye, Representative of Kwara State Governor, Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun and other dignitaries at the Kwara state Leather Summit held in Ilorin)
Chief Nnaji explained that Nigeria leather and leather products must be made to meet the international standard for exports.
He said the Federal Government is committed to rivatalizing the leather industry to make it more viable and efficient.
In an address, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazq of Kwara State represented by the State Commisssioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Mrs Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun said that the leather sub-sector has the potential of providing revenue to the nation.
Governor AbdulRazq noted that the summit would further enhance the knowledge of the participants to improve leather work and research in the country.
In a remark, the Director General, Nigeria Institute of Leather, Science and Technology, Professor Muhammed Yakubu called for sustainable source of funding for the nation’s leather research.
Professor Yakubu urged state governments to support production of Leather and leather products locally to provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youth in the country.
Earlier, the Chairman, Central Planing Committee of the Leader and leather Product Summit, Mr Igili Andrew explained that efforts are on to discourage Nigerians from consumption of cow hide and skin.
By Abdullah Ahmed
