The Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology, Mohammed Yakubu, has said the creation of the Ministry for Livestock Development will boost the Nigerian economy and tackle insecurity.

He described the decision to create the ministry as announced by President Bola Tinubu as one of the best decisions taken to reposition the Nigerian economy by the present administration.

Mr Mohammed told journalists on Saturday in Abuja that Nigeria would gain huge benefits from the establishment of the ministry and ensure proper exploitation of the huge potential of the industry.

He said, “The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development is a welcome development and we have to thank President Bola Tinubu for this foresight because it is going to solve many problems and kill two birds with one stone. The issue of banditry and herder-farmer clashes will be addressed by this singular commitment by Mr President.’’

According to him, the ministry will help to maximise the exploitation of the value chain in the livestock sub-sector, thereby enhancing the flow of foreign exchange and providing job opportunities to many skilled artisans.

“When the President made the statement, I thought our problem had been solved because the development of the value chain begins with animal husbandry. The best way to rear an animal to get hides and skin of the best quality can only be achieved if we have a ministry that looks into that from the area of science and technology. The moment this ministry comes on board, NILEST is going to partner with them; we are going to collaborate a lot. Hides and skin are core products of the meat industry, representing about 15 per cent of the value of the entire animal.

”In Nigeria, as it is now, by the time you get the outer part of the animal and you work it up, you will sell it at a price that is almost 20 to 30 per cent of the entire cost of the animal. I believe if we develop this sub-sector of the economy, the leather value chain will play a greater part. We are interested in how the animal is reared; at what age do we get the best hides and skin. So, there must be a department in that ministry which will look into this aspect,” the NILEST director-general said.

According to him, the leather industry alone currently generates more than $3 billion and has huge potential for growth.

Mr Mohammed urged the stakeholders and Nigerians to support the government to ensure the proper take-off of the ministry for the overall benefit of the country.

(NAN)