The Federal Government has expressed concern that Nigerians’ preference for consuming hides and skins, commonly known as ponmo, is significantly undermining the country’s leather industry and costing the nation billions of dollars in potential revenue.
The Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Professor Nnanyelugo Ikemounso, disclosed this on Thursday during the National Campaign Against the Consumption of Ponmo held in the nation’s capital.
Professor Ikemounso explained that the widespread consumption of ponmo deprives local manufacturers of essential raw materials required for leather production and export, thereby stifling the growth of an industry currently valued at approximately $5 billion.
He revealed that Nigeria’s leather goods market stood at $2.79 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $4.96 billion by 2033, but warned that the continuous diversion of hides for culinary purposes could undermine this projected expansion.
“From an economic and industrial standpoint, cowhides 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,” Professor Ikemounso stated.
He lamented that the practice of converting hides into food items has weakened Nigeria’s tanning and leather manufacturing sector while reducing the country’s competitiveness in international markets.
“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 said.
Professor Ikemounso noted that the global leather value chain is valued between $420 billion and $1 trillion, emphasizing that with appropriate policy framework, infrastructure development, and consistent raw material supply, Nigeria could capture a significantly larger share of this lucrative market.
The government official was quick to clarify that the campaign does not seek to impose restrictions on cultural practices or dietary preferences, but rather aims to encourage the channeling of hides and skins toward productive industrial applications that benefit the broader economy.
“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,” he explained.
Beyond economic considerations, Professor Ikemounso raised serious health concerns associated with ponmo consumption, describing the popular delicacy as nutritionally deficient.
According to him, ponmo consists primarily of collagen and contains negligible amounts of protein or essential micronutrients, making it an inadequate source of nutrition despite its popularity in Nigerian cuisine.
More alarming, the DG warned that numerous hides processed for human consumption are treated with hazardous chemicals including formalin, diesel, and other substances not approved for food processing.
“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,” Professor Ikemounso cautioned.
He stressed that exposure to these toxic chemicals poses grave health risks to consumers, including organ damage and heightened cancer susceptibility.
“These pose serious health risks ranging from organ damage to increased risk of cancer,” he added.
The government’s initiative represents an attempt to balance economic imperatives with public health concerns while respecting cultural food traditions that have made ponmo a staple in many Nigerian households.
The campaign is expected to include public awareness efforts aimed at educating Nigerians about alternative protein sources and the broader economic benefits of redirecting hides and skins to industrial manufacturing rather than consumption.
