The Federal Government, on Monday, approved an N500m pilot initiative to boost the hides and skin industry, focusing on empowering women entrepreneurs in the leather and footwear manufacturing sector.
The initiative, approved by the Federal Executive Council, will be implemented through the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, with a special emphasis on supporting women’s participation in the industry.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Suleiman-Ibrahim, praised the approval, noting that women play a key role in the leather and footwear sector.
Speaking to State House Correspondents in Abuja on Monday, the minister emphasized that the initiative would provide starter packs for manufacturers, enabling them to scale production, improve economic output, and contribute to the country’s GDP.
To ensure gender inclusivity, she advocated for at least 50 percent of the intervention to be allocated to women, stating that it would create more opportunities for female entrepreneurs in the sector.
She stated, “As we’re all aware, just like gold, skin and hide is another untapped area that we should major in. Hence, there is a need for us to applaud the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Tech for this initiative.
“It’s a pilot initiative, so it will cost about half a billion, and it will be piloted in Ogun State.
“Our ask is for women to be given a portion of it. And we’re going, in collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Tech, to implement so that we can report accordingly.”
Suleiman-Ibrahim argued that Louis Vuitton, owned by Bernard Arnault, the wealthiest man in France, sources a significant portion of its leather from Nigeria, highlighting the sector’s global economic relevance.
She urged Nigerians to leverage this opportunity and invest in the leather industry, which has the potential to generate revenue and create jobs.
