It’s funny how this conversation pops up in the media almost every year, yet nothing ever seems to change. For as long as many of us can remember, Nigerians have been told again and again to stop eating hides and skin, popularly known as ponmo. But whether we will ever listen is still another story entirely.
Still, the warnings have become louder. This time, it is not nutritionists or social media arguments. It’s the Federal Government making the call, and the economic stakes are truly much higher than most of us realise.
For many Nigerians, ponmo is a cultural staple. It shows up in jollof, lights up pepper soup bowls, and holds its place proudly in countless kitchens. But behind the beloved delicacy lies a growing national concern that is eating into Nigeria’s leather industry.
Ponmo may be cheap, soft, and flavourful, but according to the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), the habit of eating it is quietly damaging one of the country’s most promising non-oil sectors.
A Beloved Food, A Bleeding Industry
Today, Nigeria’s leather sector is valued at about $5 billion, and the leather goods market alone was worth $2.79 billion in 2024, with a clear path to hit nearly $5 billion by 2033. But the major problem is that the hides needed to meet that demand are ending up in pots and plates instead of factories.
Speaking in Abuja during the National Campaign Against the Consumption of Ponmo, RMRDC Director-General Prof. Nnanyelugo Ikemounso didn’t mince words.
“Cow hides are one of our most valuable raw materials. Diverting them for ponmo weakens our leather sector and reduces Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.”
The global leather value chain is said to be worth between $420 billion and $1 trillion. With the right policies and steady raw material supply, Nigeria could claim a bigger stake.
Ponmo’s Hidden Health Risks
At a time, there was a narrative that ponmo has no nutritional value. But this is arguable, as some nutritionists have come out to say that there are traces of protein in the ‘food’. The greater chunk however argues that it’s mostly collagen, with fewer micronutrients. That in simple terms, it fills the stomach but does not nourish the body.
But taking a look at the methods used in processing it, one can see how risky it is to the health. Many say it is preserved with formalin, singed with diesel, or burnt over used tyres to remove the hair. These are not healthy substances.
In reaction to this during an argument lately, a medical doctor said the methods leave behind chemicals linked to organ damage and increased cancer risk.
So, clearly, apart from hurting the economy, ponmo can also be hurting the people who eat it. Alas!
Wear Your Leather — Don’t Eat It
This is the latest campaign in the block. The RMRDC launched it as a nation-wide campaign to help Nigerians rethink their love for ponmo. The council wants Nigerians to channel hides and skin back into the leather industry, which brings in export revenue, creates jobs, and reduces Nigeria’s dependence on imported raw materials.
During the launch, Prof. Ikemounso clarified that the campaign was not an attack on culture or personal food preferences.
“It is a strategic intervention,” he said. “We want to secure a raw material that has huge economic value for the country.”
Like it is said in some quarters, Every piece of ponmo eaten is a handbag, pair of shoes, belt, or export product that Nigeria will never make. Yet until the country reaches a national decision on the issue, this annual debate will continue to resurface, louder each time.
My Big Idea
As a Nigerian living in Nigeria, I am sure I am speaking for most people when I say we would naturally accept money over ponmo. Here’s what I mean:
The federal government has released huge figures representing the value of the leather industry, right? If all the claims are true, then we can turn talk into action by going straight to the source: abattoirs. Pay them more than they currently earn from selling hides as ponmo, and you’ve achieved your goal.
For instance, if a kilogram of animal skin sells for N500, and ponmo dealers buy it at this rate to supply consumers, then leather factories should simply offer N1,500 per kilogram and pay cash!
If this happens, and abattoir workers start sharing the news, ponmo will suddenly become scarce. Why? Because people will always follow the money. And in this case, the factories would win without a fight.
But the bigger question remains, will Nigerians finally choose industry over indulgence? Well, this campaign (my own proposal, actually) is likely to make it happen.
If properly executed, we may one day tell the story of how ponmo quietly stepped aside so that Nigeria’s leather industry could rise.
Food & Wellbeing1 year ago