FG Hands Over Leather Enterprise Centre to Kano College

News in Brief:

—The Federal Government of Nigeria handed over the Leather Enterprise Centre to Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta.

—This initiative aims to strengthen Nigeria's leather value chain through skills development and entrepreneurship.

The Federal Government has handed over the Leather Enterprise Centre to Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta, in Kano State, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's leather value chain, promote skills development and accelerate industrial growth.

Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, stated that the initiative forms part of the government's strategy to unlock billions of dollars in investment opportunities, create jobs and transform the livestock sector into a major contributor to Nigeria's economic diversification.

Centre to Drive Skills Development and Entrepreneurship

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Maiha described the centre as a strategic investment designed to equip young Nigerians with practical, industry-relevant skills while supporting enterprise development across the leather value chain.

He said the facility would nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs, leather processors and innovators capable of driving growth in one of Nigeria's most promising non-oil industries.

"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.

Maiha encouraged students of the college to embrace entrepreneurship rather than depend solely on paid employment, adding that the ministry would continue collaborating with development finance institutions and state governments to improve access to financing and productive assets for viable agribusiness ventures.

Nigeria's Leather Industry Holds Strong Export Potential

The minister 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.

According to him, growing international demand for Nigerian leather presents significant opportunities to increase export earnings, create wealth and stimulate industrial development.

He urged the college to manage the centre effectively and develop it into a centre of excellence for practical training, research, business incubation and leather processing.

Maiha also called for stronger collaboration between the institution, industry players, development partners and financial institutions to ensure the centre remains responsive to industry needs and supports economic transformation.

Kano Government Commends Federal Initiative

Representing the Kano State Government, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Aliyu Isa Aliyu, described the Leather Enterprise Centre as a strategic investment that would promote innovation, value addition, youth empowerment and industrial expansion across the state.

He said the facility would provide practical training, encourage entrepreneurship, strengthen research and equip beneficiaries with the skills needed to transform Nigeria's abundant hides and skins into high-value products for both domestic and international markets.

College Describes Handover as Historic Milestone

Earlier, the Acting Provost of Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dr Hassan Ibrahim, described the handover as a landmark achievement that would help 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 facility, inspecting its equipment and operational sections. The centre will be used for practical training, skills development and enterprise promotion within Nigeria's leather value chain.