Nigeria’s leather industry holds the promise of becoming a major driver of economic diversification, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings. Yet, despite its vast potential, the sector remains underdeveloped, constrained by structural inefficiencies, lack of investment, and inadequate policy support. If Nigeria is serious about building a resilient, non-oil economy, then leveraging the leather value chain must become a national priority.
With abundant livestock and a long tradition of craftsmanship, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a global player in leather production. The country is currently one of Africa’s largest producers of raw hides and skins, with Kano, Sokoto, and Kaduna serving as key hubs. However, most of the leather exported from Nigeria is in raw or semi-processed form, earning a fraction of what finished goods such as shoes, bags, and garments would command in global markets.
This reliance on exporting unprocessed leather reflects a broader failure to develop the full value chain. While countries like Italy and Spain have built billion-dollar fashion industries by importing and refining African leather, Nigeria continues to miss out on value addition, industrial scale, and branding. “We are sitting on gold but exporting it as stone,” said Ibrahim Lawal, a leather industry stakeholder in Kano.
One of the most pressing needs is the modernisation of tanneries and artisanal production centers. Most Nigerian tanneries still use outdated equipment and inefficient processing methods that compromise the quality of hides. Revamping these facilities through public-private partnerships and targeted funding can dramatically improve output quality and meet international standards. Government incentives such as tax relief, grants, or soft loans can encourage investment in mechanised processing and finishing technologies.
Equally important is skill development. Nigeria boasts a large community of artisans with generational knowledge in leatherwork, but many lack access to formal training, market exposure, or modern tools. Expanding vocational programmes and leather-specific technical institutions, like the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) in Zaria, can empower local producers with the skills needed to compete globally. These institutions should be better funded, better linked to industry, and supported with robust research and development capabilities.
Beyond production, there is a need to build strong brands and market linkages. Nigerian-made leather goods must be positioned as high-quality, culturally inspired, and globally competitive. Government-backed export promotion programmes, such as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), should prioritize leather products in trade missions and support participation in international fashion and trade fairs. Strategic alliances with global fashion houses or retail chains could also help introduce Nigerian leather to new consumer markets.
Another opportunity lies in integrating the leather industry into Nigeria’s broader industrialisation agenda. Under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria has access to a vast African market with reduced trade barriers. By developing leather clusters and special economic zones near livestock-rich regions, Nigeria can create regional value chains that supply footwear, fashion, and upholstery to neighbouring countries and beyond. “With AfCFTA, our leather should not only reach Milan but also Dakar and Johannesburg,” says Deborah Ogamba, a trade analyst.
However, all of this hinges on enabling policies and infrastructure. Unreliable electricity, poor road networks, and bottlenecks at ports continue to limit the competitiveness of Nigerian industries. The leather sector needs targeted infrastructure investment to improve logistics, storage, and distribution. In addition, policies around livestock management, environmental sustainability (especially in tannery waste treatment), and access to finance must be coherent and consistent.
The leather industry also has strong potential to contribute to youth employment. With the fashion industry in Nigeria on the rise, a well-developed leather sector can provide thousands of jobs in design, marketing, logistics, and retail. “It’s not just about leather—it’s about livelihoods,” noted Aisha Mumuni, a fashion entrepreneur based in Abuja.
Nigeria’s leather industry is a sleeping giant that, if awakened, could transform local economies and reposition the country on the global manufacturing map. With the right mix of policy support, investment, infrastructure, and innovation, leather can do for Nigeria what oil never could: create sustainable, inclusive, and diversified growth. The time to act is now.
