The Federal Government has decried the neglect of the leather industry, saying the sector can employ over 700,000 citizens.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, said Nigerians were rather eating bags, and belts that can be made from hides and skins. He said the leather industry can generate N23 billion.
The minister unveiled plans to enhance the industry by promoting the local production of shoes, belts, and bags. Maiha regretted that the nation lost billions due to the consumption of hides as food.
“If I tell you now, we are eating shoes, we are eating bags, we are eating belts, somebody begins to wonder, why do you say I’m eating my shoes? I’m eating my bags, I’m eating my belts. Of course, these are hides and skins that we are eating,” he said.
The minister also cautioned against the health hazards of using kerosene to burn animal skins, stressing the need for safer processing methods. He harped on the need for centralized abattoirs and skin collection centres to optimize the use of hides and skins.
