NEPC seeks value addition in Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has urged the Ebonyi State Government to invest in hides and skins processing facilities to unlock the sector’s economic potential, create jobs and boost the state’s participation in Nigeria’s non-oil export market. The council also called on hides and skins dealers to formalise their businesses, form cooperatives and adopt improved preservation methods to enhance product quality and meet export market standards. The calls were made at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the challenges and opportunities in mainstreaming the informal hides and skins market in Ebonyi State, held on Friday at Nkwo Market, Ezzangbo, in Ohaukwu Local Government Area. The workshop, themed “Leveraging on the Hides and Skins Value Chain,” attracted traders, including a significant number of women, who sought practical knowledge on expanding their businesses and overcoming financial and operational challenges. Speaking at the event, Okechukwu Amechi, the NEPC State Coordinator, said the programme was designed to educate operators on opportunities in the non-oil export sector and encourage them to transition from informal trading to more organised and profitable business operations. Amechi said informal trading accounted for an estimated 70 to 80% (per cent) of hides and skins transactions in Nigeria, a situation he said limited proper documentation, access to finance and the economic benefits available to producing communities. He explained that business registration, standardisation, training and cooperative structures would improve traders’ bargaining power, facilitate access to support programmes and enable them to meet the requirements of larger markets. The coordinator identified poor flaying techniques, inadequate salting, improper preservation and drying skins directly on the ground as practices that damage products, reduce their commercial value and could lead to rejection by international buyers. He, therefore, urged the traders to establish cooperatives to pool resources, protect their collective interests and negotiate better prices with major buyers. Amechi also advocated the establishment of a common facility centre where raw hides and skins could be processed into finished leather for manufacturing shoes, bags, belts and other products. Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

The council also called on hides and skins dealers to formalise their businesses, form cooperatives and adopt improved preservation methods to enhance product quality and meet export market standards. The calls were made at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the challenges and opportunities in mainstreaming the informal hides and skins market in Ebonyi State, held on Friday at Nkwo Market, Ezzangbo, in Ohaukwu Local Government Area. The workshop, themed “Leveraging on the Hides and Skins Value Chain,” attracted traders, including a significant number of women, who sought practical knowledge on expanding their businesses and overcoming financial and operational challenges. Speaking at the event, Okechukwu Amechi, the NEPC State Coordinator, said the programme was designed to educate operators on opportunities in the non-oil export sector and encourage them to transition from informal trading to more organised and profitable business operations. Amechi said informal trading accounted for an estimated 70 to 80% (per cent) of hides and skins transactions in Nigeria, a situation he said limited proper documentation, access to finance and the economic benefits available to producing communities. He explained that business registration, standardisation, training and cooperative structures would improve traders’ bargaining power, facilitate access to support programmes and enable them to meet the requirements of larger markets. The coordinator identified poor flaying techniques, inadequate salting, improper preservation and drying skins directly on the ground as practices that damage products, reduce their commercial value and could lead to rejection by international buyers. He, therefore, urged the traders to establish cooperatives to pool resources, protect their collective interests and negotiate better prices with major buyers. Amechi also advocated the establishment of a common facility centre where raw hides and skins could be processed into finished leather for manufacturing shoes, bags, belts and other products. Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

The calls were made at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the challenges and opportunities in mainstreaming the informal hides and skins market in Ebonyi State, held on Friday at Nkwo Market, Ezzangbo, in Ohaukwu Local Government Area. The workshop, themed “Leveraging on the Hides and Skins Value Chain,” attracted traders, including a significant number of women, who sought practical knowledge on expanding their businesses and overcoming financial and operational challenges. Speaking at the event, Okechukwu Amechi, the NEPC State Coordinator, said the programme was designed to educate operators on opportunities in the non-oil export sector and encourage them to transition from informal trading to more organised and profitable business operations. Amechi said informal trading accounted for an estimated 70 to 80% (per cent) of hides and skins transactions in Nigeria, a situation he said limited proper documentation, access to finance and the economic benefits available to producing communities. He explained that business registration, standardisation, training and cooperative structures would improve traders’ bargaining power, facilitate access to support programmes and enable them to meet the requirements of larger markets. The coordinator identified poor flaying techniques, inadequate salting, improper preservation and drying skins directly on the ground as practices that damage products, reduce their commercial value and could lead to rejection by international buyers. He, therefore, urged the traders to establish cooperatives to pool resources, protect their collective interests and negotiate better prices with major buyers. Amechi also advocated the establishment of a common facility centre where raw hides and skins could be processed into finished leather for manufacturing shoes, bags, belts and other products. Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

The workshop, themed “Leveraging on the Hides and Skins Value Chain,” attracted traders, including a significant number of women, who sought practical knowledge on expanding their businesses and overcoming financial and operational challenges. Speaking at the event, Okechukwu Amechi, the NEPC State Coordinator, said the programme was designed to educate operators on opportunities in the non-oil export sector and encourage them to transition from informal trading to more organised and profitable business operations. Amechi said informal trading accounted for an estimated 70 to 80% (per cent) of hides and skins transactions in Nigeria, a situation he said limited proper documentation, access to finance and the economic benefits available to producing communities. He explained that business registration, standardisation, training and cooperative structures would improve traders’ bargaining power, facilitate access to support programmes and enable them to meet the requirements of larger markets. The coordinator identified poor flaying techniques, inadequate salting, improper preservation and drying skins directly on the ground as practices that damage products, reduce their commercial value and could lead to rejection by international buyers. He, therefore, urged the traders to establish cooperatives to pool resources, protect their collective interests and negotiate better prices with major buyers. Amechi also advocated the establishment of a common facility centre where raw hides and skins could be processed into finished leather for manufacturing shoes, bags, belts and other products. Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Speaking at the event, Okechukwu Amechi, the NEPC State Coordinator, said the programme was designed to educate operators on opportunities in the non-oil export sector and encourage them to transition from informal trading to more organised and profitable business operations. Amechi said informal trading accounted for an estimated 70 to 80% (per cent) of hides and skins transactions in Nigeria, a situation he said limited proper documentation, access to finance and the economic benefits available to producing communities. He explained that business registration, standardisation, training and cooperative structures would improve traders’ bargaining power, facilitate access to support programmes and enable them to meet the requirements of larger markets. The coordinator identified poor flaying techniques, inadequate salting, improper preservation and drying skins directly on the ground as practices that damage products, reduce their commercial value and could lead to rejection by international buyers. He, therefore, urged the traders to establish cooperatives to pool resources, protect their collective interests and negotiate better prices with major buyers. Amechi also advocated the establishment of a common facility centre where raw hides and skins could be processed into finished leather for manufacturing shoes, bags, belts and other products. Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Amechi said informal trading accounted for an estimated 70 to 80% (per cent) of hides and skins transactions in Nigeria, a situation he said limited proper documentation, access to finance and the economic benefits available to producing communities. He explained that business registration, standardisation, training and cooperative structures would improve traders’ bargaining power, facilitate access to support programmes and enable them to meet the requirements of larger markets. The coordinator identified poor flaying techniques, inadequate salting, improper preservation and drying skins directly on the ground as practices that damage products, reduce their commercial value and could lead to rejection by international buyers. He, therefore, urged the traders to establish cooperatives to pool resources, protect their collective interests and negotiate better prices with major buyers. Amechi also advocated the establishment of a common facility centre where raw hides and skins could be processed into finished leather for manufacturing shoes, bags, belts and other products. Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

He explained that business registration, standardisation, training and cooperative structures would improve traders’ bargaining power, facilitate access to support programmes and enable them to meet the requirements of larger markets. The coordinator identified poor flaying techniques, inadequate salting, improper preservation and drying skins directly on the ground as practices that damage products, reduce their commercial value and could lead to rejection by international buyers. He, therefore, urged the traders to establish cooperatives to pool resources, protect their collective interests and negotiate better prices with major buyers. Amechi also advocated the establishment of a common facility centre where raw hides and skins could be processed into finished leather for manufacturing shoes, bags, belts and other products. Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

The coordinator identified poor flaying techniques, inadequate salting, improper preservation and drying skins directly on the ground as practices that damage products, reduce their commercial value and could lead to rejection by international buyers. He, therefore, urged the traders to establish cooperatives to pool resources, protect their collective interests and negotiate better prices with major buyers. Amechi also advocated the establishment of a common facility centre where raw hides and skins could be processed into finished leather for manufacturing shoes, bags, belts and other products. Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

He, therefore, urged the traders to establish cooperatives to pool resources, protect their collective interests and negotiate better prices with major buyers. Amechi also advocated the establishment of a common facility centre where raw hides and skins could be processed into finished leather for manufacturing shoes, bags, belts and other products. Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Amechi also advocated the establishment of a common facility centre where raw hides and skins could be processed into finished leather for manufacturing shoes, bags, belts and other products. Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Citing the leather industry in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the benefits of local processing, he said value addition could create employment opportunities across the supply chain, particularly for women and young people. He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

He clarified that although NEPC was not primarily a lending institution, it occasionally provided grants under relevant programmes. He encouraged the traders to seek information on available government support schemes and comply with the necessary requirements to benefit from them. The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

The coordinator also informed the women about NEPC’s initiatives for women entrepreneurs, urging them to formalise their businesses and follow the prescribed procedures to access available opportunities. Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Amechi also delivered a presentation on the overview, mandate and activities of the council. Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Read also: HBM Nigeria launches second cohort of 2026 skills training for 120 persons with disabilities Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Traders seek loans, lament price control Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Alhaji Spina, leader of the Muslim community at Nkwo Jackie Market and a dealer in live animal for the production of hides, identified delayed payments and inadequate working capital as major challenges affecting the hides and skins supply chain. He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

He explained that live-animal sellers supplied butchers, who subsequently sold the skins to dealers. However, delays in payments from downstream buyers often prevented butchers from settling their debts to suppliers. According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

According to him, some transactions remained unpaid for between one and three months, disrupting supplies and slowing business activities. “If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

“If the government can help the butchers, the dealers and the suppliers with either grants or loans, it will boost the business and the government will be getting more revenue,” Spina said. He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

He added that timely payments would enable suppliers to provide more animals, increase market supply and help stabilise prices. Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Similarly, Chris Omeoha Chibuike, chairman of the Hides and Skins Dealers Association in the area, appealed to the government to improve traders’ access to capital. He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

He lamented that local dealers invested their money in purchasing skins but had little control over selling prices, which were often determined by major buyers, particularly Chinese traders. “We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

“We can buy the goods, then the Chinese will determine the price to buy the goods from us,” he said, describing the situation as a major constraint on profitability. Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Chibuike said access to grants or affordable loans would enable dealers to increase their purchasing capacity, expand their operations and strengthen their bargaining position. He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

He commended NEPC for taking the sensitisation programme to the market, noting that many traders were previously unaware of the council’s presence and the opportunities available to them. RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

RMRDC advocates local processing In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

In a presentation titled “Leveraging the Hides and Skins Value Chain for the Export Market,” Ude Chukwu Eze, a representative of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the value chain covered activities ranging from livestock production and slaughtering to collection, preservation, tanning and the manufacture of finished leather products. He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

He explained that hides and skins, although by-products of livestock production, were important raw materials for the leather industry and required proper handling and further processing to achieve greater economic value. Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Eze observed that Ebonyi’s hides and skins trade remained largely informal and retail-based, with limited local processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure to support large-scale production and exports. He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

He urged the traders to call on the state government to establish a tannery and a dedicated hides and skins market, saying the facilities would promote skills development, entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youths and women. He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

He also encouraged participants to explore opportunities under the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project in Abakaliki for assistance relating to livestock production and associated value chains. The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

The workshop highlighted the need for improved financing, organised market structures, better handling and preservation practices, and investment in processing infrastructure to strengthen Ebonyi’s hides and skins industry. Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share

Stakeholders agreed that developing the value chain could improve traders’ earnings, create employment and expand the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy. Related News EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American over alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud Customers are scared of giving out information to the police 2027 election will end political lies, deceit, Makinde Share