FG Warns Ponmo Consumption Is Undermining Nigeria’s Leather Industry
By OBI DAVIES
THE Federal Government has cautioned that the growing demand for ponmo is threatening the country’s leather industry, valued at $2.79 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $4.96 billion by 2033.
Speaking at a national campaign in Abuja, RMRDC Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ikemounso, said diverting hides for food limits raw materials for leather production, weakens the tanning sector, and reduces Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
He stressed that the government is not seeking to ban ponmo but to encourage its industrial use to boost jobs, exports, and economic diversification.
Ikemounso also warned that ponmo offers little nutritional value and may expose consumers to harmful chemicals like formalin and diesel used in processing. He urged Nigerians to support efforts to prioritise hides for leather manufacturing to protect public health and strengthen the industry.
