The Federal Government has raised serious concerns about Nigeria's growing leather industry, valued at approximately $5 billion, warning that continuous consumption of animal hides and skins known as ponmo poses a significant threat to its development.
Economic Impact on Leather Sector
Speaking during the National Campaign Against the Consumption of Ponmo held in Abuja on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Professor Nnanyelugo Ikemounso, the Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, highlighted the industrial consequences of this dietary practice.
The Nigerian leather goods market reached a valuation of $2.79 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand to $4.96 billion by 2033, according to industry forecasts presented by the Director-General.
Ikemounso emphasized that the persistent diversion of hides for human consumption denies local manufacturers access to essential raw materials required for leather production and export activities.
Global Market Opportunities
The global leather value chain represents an enormous economic opportunity, estimated to be worth between $420 billion and $1 trillion. With adequate policy direction, infrastructure development, and consistent raw material supply, Nigeria could substantially increase its participation in this lucrative international market.
From an economic and industrial perspective, cowhides rank among Nigeria's most valuable raw materials, possessing tremendous potential for job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and contributions to the nation's Gross Domestic Product.
The Director-General clarified that the campaign does not aim to undermine cultural traditions or personal food preferences. Instead, it represents a strategic intervention to prioritize the industrial utilization of hides and skins, particularly for leather manufacturing, which offers substantial benefits for economic expansion, employment generation, and export diversification.
Health and Nutritional Concerns
Beyond economic considerations, Professor Ikemounso raised significant health and nutritional issues associated with ponmo consumption. He described the popular delicacy as having minimal nutritional value, composed mainly of collagen with negligible protein or micronutrient content, making it an inadequate source of nourishment.
More alarmingly, the Director-General warned that many hides processed for human consumption are treated with dangerous substances including formalin, diesel, and other non-food-grade chemicals. These hazardous materials present serious health risks, including potential organ damage and increased cancer susceptibility.
These preservation and processing methods involving harmful chemicals pose serious health hazards ranging from organ damage to elevated cancer risk, Ikemounso cautioned during his presentation.
The campaign represents a coordinated effort to balance cultural practices with economic priorities while addressing public health concerns associated with the consumption of chemically treated animal hides.
