…FG moves to unlock livestock industry, says leather sector worth N23billion
By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said 90% of
Nigeria’s leather is exported to Italy and Spain, due to limited value addition.
He however, acknowledged that government is working with stakeholders to encourage local production of high-quality leather goods such as shoes, belts, and bags.
The Minister reaffirmed federal government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s livestock and leather industries, ensuring hygienic meat production, boosting value addition, and creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Speaking on a TV programme monitored in Abuja, the Minister, said there was urgent need to regulate meat processing in controlled environments to guarantee hygiene and maximize by-products such as hides and skins.
To achieve this, the government plans to establish skin collection centers in rural areas, that would engage local youth in aggregating and semi-processing hides for value addition.
He said Nigeria’s leather industry holds immense economic potential, with an estimated value of ₦23 billion and the capacity to employ 700,000 Nigerians.
However, local practices such as burning animal skins with kerosene, which is both hazardous to health and detrimental to the leather industry, need to be addressed, the Minister stated.
The Minister, said: “Shoemaking factories in Maiduguri and Aba are already producing footwear, including jungle boots for security forces, demonstrating Nigeria’s ability to develop its leather industry.”
Maiha, however, stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace locally-made leather products to reduce reliance on imported brands, saying, “Many luxury leather products globally are made from Nigerian hides and skins. We must change our mindset and take pride in made-in-Nigeria goods.”
Addressing broader livestock development, the Minister assured stakeholders that efforts are ongoing to support poultry farmers, particularly in reducing the cost of feeds, which has significantly impacted production.
The government has engaged feed millers and grain producers, and with the declining prices of grains, the cost of poultry products, including eggs, is expected to stabilise in the coming months.
He further disclosed that the government is engaging chambers of commerce and industries to expand local production and investment.
On disease control, the Minister noted that bird flu outbreaks have been isolated in Zamfara and Kano, with swift government intervention. He stressed the importance of biosecurity measures to prevent disease spread among poultry farms.
Beyond traditional livestock farming, the government is set to launch a massive campaign to promote apiculture (bee farming), an industry with high export potential.
The Minister, himself a beekeeper, noted that honey is the cheapest bee product, with other high-value derivatives like bee wax, pollen, royal jelly, and bee venom offering lucrative opportunities.
“Bee farming requires minimal investment, is highly profitable, and supports job creation. The government will drive awareness and capacity building to attract more Nigerians into this sector.” he added.
Commenting on the issue of herders and grazing reserves, the Maiha revealed that the government has identified four grazing reserves in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and will collaborate with the FCT Minister and local council leaders to develop them.
Stakeholder engagements with pastoral organizations like Miyetti Allah are also planned to hold in the coming weeks, to guarantee smooth implementation.
“The government is committed to sustainable livestock management, ensuring that herders have secure, well-developed grazing reserves with access to essential infrastructure.” he said.
The Minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s dedication to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s livestock sector, boosting job creation, ensuring food security, and strengthening local industries
