The Chief Executive Officer of Abiol Shoes, Adepoju Abiola Ezekiel, has called for stronger government support and increased patronage of locally made leather products to revive Nigeria’s leather industry and drive economic growth.
Speaking on Trade FM’s Ask the Expert segment on the topic, “Protecting Nigeria’s Leather Industry: Strengthening Local Production, Preserving Raw Materials, and Building a Sustainable Future,” Adepoju said Nigeria has skilled shoemakers capable of producing world-class footwear but continues to face challenges, including the excessive consumption of hides and skins as pomo, high production costs, the influx of substandard raw materials, and low public confidence in locally made products.
He urged the Federal Government to implement policies that promote Made-in-Nigeria products, strengthen quality control, and support local manufacturers through investment in leather hubs, technical training, and industry-friendly policies. He also stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace locally produced footwear, noting that many indigenous brands already meet international quality standards.
Adepoju further highlighted the industry’s potential to create employment for young people through apprenticeship programmes, technical education, and entrepreneurship. He added that expanding local leather processing would reduce imports, increase exports, boost foreign exchange earnings, and contribute to sustainable economic development.
He also noted that despite inflation and rising production costs affecting both manufacturers and consumers, continued collaboration between government, industry stakeholders, and shoemakers’ associations would help position Nigeria’s leather industry as a competitive force in the global market.
