The Federal Government has raised alarms over the growing consumption of hides and skins, commonly known as ponmo, warning that it threatens Nigeria’s $5 billion leather industry. At the National Campaign Against the Consumption of Ponmo held on Thursday in Abuja, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ikemounso, Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, highlighted how diverting hides for food deprives local industries of crucial raw materials needed for leather production and export. “The Nigerian leather goods market was valued at $2.79 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4.96 billion by 2033,” Ikemounso said. “The continuous diversion of hides for ponmo consumption weakens our tanning and leather manufacturing sector and diminishes Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.” He described cowhides as one of Nigeria’s most valuable raw materials, with enormous potential for job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and contributions to GDP. Globally, the leather value chain is estimated to be worth between $420 billion and $1 trillion, and with the right policies, infrastructure, and raw material supply, Nigeria could significantly expand its share. Ikemounso clarified that the campaign is not aimed at opposing cultural practices or personal dietary choices but is intended to channel hides and skins toward productive industrial use for the nation’s benefit. “This campaign is a strategic intervention to prioritise the industrial use of hides and skins, particularly for leather production, which holds immense potential for economic growth, job creation, and export diversification,” he said. The DG also warned of serious health risks associated with ponmo, noting that it offers little nutritional value, being mostly collagen with negligible protein or micronutrients. He further cautioned that many hides used for consumption are treated with harmful chemicals such as formalin and diesel, which can cause organ damage and increase cancer risk. “From a nutritional perspective, ponmo offers very little value. More worrisome, many hides processed for consumption are subjected to harmful substances such as formalin and diesel, posing serious health risks, including organ damage and higher cancer risk,” he added. The government’s campaign aims to protect both public health and the long-term growth of Nigeria’s leather industry.
