By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s economic sphere have acknowledged the contributions of leather to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its position as the highest non-oil foreign exchange earner for the nation.
The Director General and chief executive officer, Nigerian Institute Of Leather And Science Technology (NILEST) Zaria, Prof. Mohammed Kabir Yakubu made this known at the 2023 technology and innovation expo leather day held on Wednesday January 18, 2023 at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Professor Yakubu said the leather industry has proven in recent times, to be a prolific sector contributing immensely to a high employment, wealth generation, security, GDP and development.
According to him, the leather industry is a $390 billion worth market, globally acknowledged as a driving tool for industrialization especially in the developing world.
The DG said, Nigeria must accord high priority to leather and its products if it must take rightful place in the comity of nations.
“Nigeria’s vision of becoming one of the largest economies in the world in the nearest future can be hastened when leather and leather products through the required technology and innovation are fully integrated into our national socio-economic development process”.
The chief executive said this will help Nigeria to bridge the existing gaps and it will also help to fast track the processes that will enable her to become self reliance on indigenous technology capacity, thereby, stimulating a greater sense of national pride based on enduring self-reliance.
