The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Prof. Mohammed Kabiru Yakubu, said Nigeria loses N585 billion annually to imported skins.
He disclosed this at the leather business to business (B2B) summit and expo in Lagos.
The DG said the country loses N585 billion in annual leather revenue to other countries.
Prof Yakubu said, “Yes, without mincing a word, eating ponmo is a threat to the leather industry. Nigeria had about 44 tanneries in the 90s but now only 4 have survived.”
He said the imported animal skins pose a security threat to the nation and the health of innocent consumers.
Th event was organized by the Lagos State Shoemakers Association (LASSMA) and NILEST.
They endorsed the planned ban as they said consuming ponmo has neither protein nor any nutritional value and is dangerous to health because of the methods and chemicals used in its preparation.
