NILEST Announces Plans to Establish Mini Tanneries Nationwide

The Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) has unveiled plans to set up mini tanneries across all 36 states of the country in a bid to enhance leather production and boost the national economy.

Mohammed Yakubu, the Director-General (DG) of NILEST, made the announcement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. Yakubu, who also chairs the implementation committee for Nigeria’s national leather policy, highlighted the importance of expanding the country’s leather industry to tap into its vast potential for foreign exchange and job creation.

“Leather is a significant national resource, and Nigeria has historically been recognized for its leather products. We once had 84 leather industries, some with branches in countries like Italy and Spain,” Yakubu said. “We aim to revive that legacy and reestablish Nigeria as a key player in the global leather market.”

Yakubu attributed the decline of the Nigerian leather industry to poor infrastructure, particularly the lack of affordable and reliable power, which he cited as a major obstacle. He stressed that while NILEST provides the technical expertise needed for the industry to thrive, challenges in infrastructure remain a critical concern.

“Power accounts for over 50 percent of production costs. For Nigeria to compete globally with leaders like China, Brazil, and India, there must be reliable, affordable power,” Yakubu emphasized. “We need concessions from the government, particularly in providing cheap power to support the industry.”

In addition to advocating for better power supply, Yakubu revealed that the establishment of mini tanneries would help alleviate the country’s excess supply of hides and skins, commonly referred to as “ponmo.”

He explained that the current number of operational industries is insufficient to process the daily production of hides, with only 48 industries able to handle the vast quantities of skin generated, especially in states like Lagos, where around 100,000 cows are slaughtered daily.

“To address this, we plan to set up mini tanneries in strategic locations across the country. These tanneries will process between one to five tonnes of leather per week, helping to absorb the excess hides and skin,” Yakubu said. “By doing so, we aim to reduce production costs, stimulate the growth of more industries, and reduce the consumption of hides as food.”

Yakubu emphasized that the establishment of mini tanneries would also support Nigeria’s youth employment efforts and contribute to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The DG acknowledged the challenges posed by the “Kpomo” consumption culture but reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its campaign against eating animal skins.

“We are aware that if people stop eating Kpomo, it will affect those who rely on selling it for a living,” Yakubu noted. “However, in the long term, establishing these mini tanneries will create sustainable jobs and help us produce quality leather for export.”

The NILEST DG reiterated the need for government support, particularly through policy adjustments that address power supply issues, which he believes are essential for the industry’s revival. Yakubu’s comments reflect the institute’s broader efforts to revitalize the Nigerian leather industry and place the country back on the map as a global leader in leather production.