Nigeria Loses N23B and 700,000 Jobs Annually to Hide and Skin Consumption – Minister

Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Maiha, stated that Nigeria loses at least N23 billion annually due to the widespread consumption of hide and skin, known as ‘kpomo.’

He also emphasized that this practice deprives the country of around 700,000 job opportunities.

During a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Friday, February 21, Minister Mukhtar Maiha raised concerns about the economic and health risks of consuming ‘kpomo.’

He cautioned that the processing methods could pose cancer risks and urged Nigerians to reconsider their dietary choices.

Maiha also unveiled a plan to expand Nigeria’s livestock market from $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035. He outlined the sector’s anticipated contributions between 2025 and 2030, aiming to position Nigeria as a major player alongside global leaders like Brazil, Argentina, and the United States.

Maiha emphasized that the ministry’s key objectives include increasing livestock production, improving animal health, ensuring food security, fostering inclusivity in the sector, and strengthening governance and regulations.

He also revealed that Nigeria has established strategic partnerships with international investors, agencies, and diplomatic missions to secure technical expertise, financing, and investment in the livestock industry. Partner nations include Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

These collaborations will focus on expanding opportunities in meat processing, dairy production, animal health, feed production, and cold-chain logistics, aiming to enhance Nigeria’s livestock sector and overall economic growth.

“These partnerships will be instrumental in positioning Nigeria as a regional and global hub for livestock production and export,” he stated.

During the event, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted that the ministerial briefing serves as a platform to showcase the achievements of the Tinubu administration across various economic sectors.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you to the second edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series. As you may recall, on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, I inaugurated this year’s series by highlighting key successes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Idris said.

He pointed out that President Tinubu recently established the Ministries of Livestock Development and Regional Development to unlock Nigeria’s livestock industry’s potential and promote regional growth nationwide.

“The Ministry of Livestock Development was created in July 2024 to transform Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar livestock potential into real economic prosperity, while the Ministry of Regional Development was established in October 2024 to oversee regional development commissions. Both ministries have hit the ground running, and today’s briefing provides an opportunity to showcase their progress,” he added.

The ministerial session reinforced the government’s dedication to harnessing Nigeria’s livestock industry’s economic potential, fostering sustainable development, and generating employment opportunities.