‘We’re eating our bags, belts’, minister decries neglect of leather industry

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has unveiled plans to enhance Nigeria’s leather industry by promoting the local production of shoes, belts, and bags.

Speaking on the importance of organized animal processing, Maiha said this during a one-on-one interview on Channels Television’s program on Wednesday morning.

He emphasized the need for centralized abattoirs and skin collection centres to optimize the use of hides and skins. “For you to optimize on skin collection, you need a central animal processing unit,” he stated.

He added that proper slaughtering methods would ensure hygienic meat production while preserving raw materials for the leather industry.

The minister highlighted that Nigeria loses 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 explained.

He warned against the health hazards of using kerosene to burn animal skins, stressing the need for safer processing methods.

Maiha expressed optimism about the potential of the leather industry, estimating that it could employ 700,000 Nigerians and generate N23bn.

“By our estimation, that industry can employ almost 700,000 Nigerians and by value, our own estimation, about N23bn. Now, we are not there yet because of certain incidences.”

He pointed to the success of the shoe-making industry in Maiduguri and Aba, where local factories are already producing footwear, including jungle boots for the armed forces.

“Most of the shoes that today we import in this country can be manufactured here,” he asserted.

He also urged Nigerians to embrace locally made products.

“We have become slaves to some of these international brands no matter the quality; once you have Gucci or Prada or Louis Vuitton, you think that it is the best,” he said, adding that local patronage would drive improvements in quality.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the industry, engaging with chambers of commerce, and ensuring infrastructure for livestock farming.

He announced plans for a nationwide stakeholder consultation to align with industry needs. “With the Ministry, we are going to focus on that,” he concluded.