By Yahuza Muhammad
In a major push to rejuvenate Kano State’s leather industry, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has joined forces with the Kano State Government to launch a strategic initiative aimed at revitalizing the leather value chain and promoting the development of industrial clusters.
The collaboration is designed to restore Kano’s historical status as a premier leather hub in Nigeria and West Africa, while also boosting industrial competitiveness, empowering local artisans, and fostering sustainable economic growth.
At the core of the initiative is a multi-stakeholder committee comprising representatives from key state ministries, including Commerce, Industry and Solid Minerals; Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Environment; and Education, as well as tannery associations, manufacturers, exporters, and academic researchers. The committee is being technically supported by the RMRDC Kano State Coordinating Office.
The stakeholders are tasked with addressing longstanding challenges in the sector, including inadequate infrastructure, poor quality control, limited access to technology, and weak market linkages.
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As part of its technical engagement, the committee conducted site visits to several leather production clusters across Kano metropolis, including Wambai Leather Cluster, Kofar Ruwa Tannery Lane, Kofar Mazugal Leather Market, and selected abattoirs and skin collection centers in Dala and Fagge Local Government Areas. The visits exposed a range of challenges, such as the lack of modern waste management systems, poor preservation practices, chemical exposure risks, and the absence of structured training for processors.
In response, the committee proposed a phased improvement plan to modernize the sector. Key recommendations include the establishment of hygienic abattoirs and hides preservation centers, the introduction of targeted training programs on safe chemical use and improved tanning methods, and the provision of processing equipment through cooperative schemes to boost productivity and quality.
The plan also calls for the creation of mini leather industrial parks at strategic locations in Kano to streamline production, improve environmental safety, and strengthen market competitiveness.
Speaking during one of the stakeholder engagements, Hon. Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Wada Shehu Sagagi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment. “This partnership with RMRDC is timely. The revival of the leather sector is a priority, and we are committed to implementing practical steps,” he said.
The RMRDC Kano State Coordinator, Engr. Almustapha Kamilu, emphasised the Council’s role in promoting research-driven industrial solutions. “Our mission is to facilitate development across raw materials value chains. The leather industry, with Kano’s historical advantage, must be repositioned for global competitiveness,” he stated.
To ensure sustainability and grassroots impact, RMRDC further recommended that its Nodal Officers across all 44 local government areas be officially integrated into the implementation framework. These officers, already active at the community level, would play a crucial role in monitoring, training, and community engagement, thereby enhancing coordination and ownership of the revival effort.
The initiative marks a significant step toward industrial renewal in Kano and offers a blueprint for replicable development in other key sectors across the country.
