The federal government has said that consumption of hides and skins, popularly known as Ponmo, is a threat to the growth of the leather industry in Nigeria.

Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-mounso, the Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), presented the argument at an event, tagged the National Campaign Against the Consumption of Ponmo, held on Thursday in Abuja.

Ikemounso said Nigeria’s leather industry is currently valued at $2.79 billion and is projected to grow to $4.96 billion by 2033, but the consumption of Ponmo by Nigerians may derail this growth.

He explained the local makers of leather are deprived of sufficient raw materials — cowhides and skins — because they are diverted to the processing of Ponmo.

He added that the diversion also affects Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global leather market, which is currently valued between $420 billion and $1 trillion.

How Nigeria can increase share in leather market

The DG explained that there is a need for policy direction, availability of raw materials and infrastructure, if Nigeria were to increase its share of the global leather market.

He clarified that the campaign was not organised to discourage the consumption of ponmo by those who like it, but to advocate improved supply of hides and skins to productive local industries for the benefit of the national economy.

The campaign against the consumption of ponmo, with the slogan “Wear, Not Eat Your Leather”, was launched by the council as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s industries and reduce dependence on imported raw materials.

“This campaign is calling for an intervention to prioritise the industrial use of hides and skins, especially leather production,” the DG said.

“This campaign is calling for an intervention to prioritise the industrial use of hides and skins, especially leather production,” the DG said.

He said the leather industry has not fully maximised its potential for job creation and high export earnings.

Ponmo has low nutritional benefits Ikemounso further argued that ponmo has little or no nutritional value, even though it is a popular delicacy in Nigeria.

He stressed that it merely has an insignificant amount of protein or micronutrients, adding that it is often processed with chemicals and other substances that are harmful.

He said: “It is worrisome that harmful substances such as formalin and diesel are often used in the processing and preservation of hides.”

These preservation and processing methods, he explained, pose severe health risks and may result in organ damage or cancer.