The European Union (EU) and German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) are set to partner with Nigeria to boost the country’s leather industry. This was announced by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.
The Ministry of Science and Technology said the European Union and German Society for International Cooperation, through the Nigeria Competitiveness Project (NICOP) would be partnering to draft a strategic implementation plan for leather and leather products policy which would diversify the economy.
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According to Onu, who was represented by Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi, the leather industry has been projected to tan between 40 to 50 million skins annually, generating between $600 million to $800 million annually.
Onu said that this is why there is a need for value addition to the leather value chain to upgrade its position in the regional and global trade of leather commodities with varying implications on intra and inter-trade.
“Therefore, permit me to congratulate all of you for producing this draft strategic Implementation Plan for the Leather and Leather Products Policy. I have been reliably informed that the EU and GIZ through NICO in Nigeria are willing to partner with us in the implementation of this Policy to diversify the Nigeria economy. I appreciate you.
“It has been projected that the Nigerian leather industry tans between 40 to 50 million skins annually, hence it generates between $600 million to $800 million annually.1t is therefore believed to have the potential to increase the nations’ foreign earnings.
“To achieve this vital feat, there is a need for value addition in Nigeria’s Leather Value Chain to upgrade its position in the regional and global trade of leather commodities with varying implications on intro and inter-trade, backward integration, employment generation, industrial deepening, increased productivity and competitiveness,” he said.
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The Nigeria Competitiveness Project (NICOP) was launched to deepen economic diversification in Nigeria. It focuses on key focal states, particularly Abia, Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau as well as other states across the selected value chains of Tomato and Pepper, Ginger, Leather and Garments.