The Federal Government has handed over the Leather Enterprise Centre to the Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta, Kano State, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s leather value chain, promote skills development, create jobs, and drive economic growth.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made this known during the official handover ceremony in Kano at the weekend. According to a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Henrietta Okokon, the centre is expected to serve as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical training in the leather industry.
Maiha described the facility as a strategic investment designed to equip young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills while supporting the growth of one of the country’s most promising non-oil sectors.
He noted that Nigeria produces more than 50 million hides and skins annually, with Kano accounting for over 80 per cent of the country’s leather processing capacity, positioning the state as a key player in the global leather market.
“The future belongs to value addition. This centre will nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs, processors and innovators who will drive the growth of Nigeria’s leather industry,” the minister said.
The minister urged students of the college to embrace entrepreneurship instead of relying solely on paid employment. He assured them that the ministry would continue collaborating with development finance institutions and state governments to improve access to funding and other productive resources for viable agribusiness ventures.
Maiha also charged the management of Audu Bako College of Agriculture to operate the facility effectively and transform it into a centre of excellence for practical training, research, business incubation, and leather processing.
He further called for stronger partnerships between the college, industry operators, financial institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders to ensure the centre remains responsive to industry demands and contributes to economic transformation.
Representing the Kano State Government, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, commended the Federal Government for establishing the Leather Enterprise Centre, describing it as a strategic investment that would promote innovation, value addition, youth empowerment, and industrial development.
According to him, the facility will provide practical training, encourage entrepreneurship, strengthen research, and equip beneficiaries with the skills required to convert Nigeria’s abundant hides and skins into high-value products for local and international markets.
Earlier, the Acting Provost of Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dr. Hassan Ibrahim, described the handover as a historic milestone that would bridge skills gaps, improve graduate employability, and strengthen collaboration between academia and industry through a sustainable public-private partnership model.
Following the ceremony, the minister toured the Leather Enterprise Centre, inspecting its equipment and operational sections. The facility will be used by the college for practical training, skills development, and enterprise promotion across Nigeria’s leather value chain.
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