The Federal Government has issued a strong warning that the widespread consumption of hides and skins, popularly known as ponmo, poses a severe threat to the projected growth of Nigeria’s leather industry, which is currently valued at about $5 billion.
Speaking at the National Campaign Against the Consumption of Ponmo in Abuja on Thursday, the Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ikemounso, stated that the practice is depriving local industries of vital raw materials necessary for leather production and export.
Prof. Ikemounso disclosed that the Nigerian leather goods market was valued at $2.79 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow significantly. He cautioned that diverting hides for consumption could derail this trajectory.
He emphasized the economic potential being lost: “From an economic and industrial standpoint, cow hides are one of Nigeria’s most valuable raw materials. Our nation possesses a vibrant leather industry with enormous potential for job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and contributions to GDP. As of 2024, the Nigeria Leather Goods Market, was valued at USD 2.79 billion, with a forecast to grow to $4.96bn by 2033. Sadly, the continuous diversion of hides for ponmo consumption denies our industries access to quality raw materials, weakens our tanning and leather manufacturing sector, and diminishes Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global leather market.”
The DG noted that the global leather value chain is estimated to be worth between $420 billion and $1 trillion, asserting that Nigeria could significantly increase its market share with proper policy direction and raw material availability.
Prof. Ikemounso also raised serious concerns about the health and nutritional risks associated with consuming ponmo. He described the popular delicacy as offering little to no nutritional benefit, being mainly composed of collagen with negligible protein or micronutrient content.
He issued a stark warning regarding processing methods: “From a nutritional perspective, ponmo offers very little value. More worrisome, in many cases, hides used for ponmo are subjected to preservation and processing methods involving harmful substances such as formalin and diesel. These pose serious health risks ranging from organ damage to increased risk of cancer.”
The RMRDC launched the campaign under the slogan “Wear, Not Eat Your Leather,” aiming to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base and reduce reliance on imported raw materials.
Prof. Ikemounso clarified that the initiative is not intended to interfere with cultural or dietary choices but rather to secure a vital raw material for the nation’s economic benefit.
He stated: “It is important to clarify that this campaign is not against tradition or personal food preference. Rather, it 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.”
Nigeria’s leather industry is recognized as one of the country’s most promising non-oil sectors, but its full economic exploitation has been persistently hampered by the widespread popularity of ponmo among consumers.
