The Federal Government has issued a fresh warning over the consumption of hides and skins, popularly known as ponmo, stating that the practice threatens Nigeria’s rapidly growing leather industry, currently valued at about $5 billion.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the National Campaign Against the Consumption of Ponmo, the Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ikemounso, said the widespread use of hides as food deprives the leather sector of essential raw materials needed for production and export.

Prof. Ikemounso revealed that Nigeria’s leather goods market was valued at $2.79 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $4.96 billion by 2033. He warned that the diversion of hides for consumption could stunt the sector’s growth, despite the global leather value chain being worth between $420 billion and $1 trillion.

According to him, the campaign is not targeted at cultural practices but aims to ensure hides are channelled into productive industrial use to boost national revenue.

The DG also stressed that ponmo offers “almost no health benefit,” noting that it is largely composed of collagen with negligible protein or micronutrient content. He added that many hides sold as ponmo are processed with dangerous chemicals such as formalin and diesel, exposing consumers to severe health risks, including organ damage and increased cancer risk.

The Federal Government says the nationwide campaign will continue as part of efforts to promote safer food choices and safeguard the country’s expanding leather industry.