Nigeria backs digital livestock and leather development
Nigeria’s Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening the country’s hides, skins and leather sector as part of wider plans to modernise livestock production and increase value-added manufacturing.
During a visit to Kano State, Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha said digital livestock management systems should capture information across the full livestock value chain, including hides and skins production, processing and trade.
Mr Maiha also visited Kanotan Tannery Industry, where he highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s leather sector to contribute to economic diversification. He noted that the country produces more than 50 million hides and skins annually but said much of the value has traditionally been lost through the export of semi-processed leather. The government, he said, wants to encourage greater domestic processing and the manufacture of finished leather products such as footwear, bags and other goods.
During the visit, representatives of the National Leather and Leather Products Association of Nigeria (NALPAN) called for the establishment of skin collection centres in key livestock-producing regions to improve raw material quality and strengthen supplies to the country’s tanneries.
