The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has raised serious concerns about the dangerous health implications of the processing techniques used in the production of ponmo, a popular meat product in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2025 ministerial press briefing on Friday, Maiha revealed that the current methods employed in producing hide and skin, commonly known as ponmo, are carcinogenic and hazardous to human health.
The minister emphasized that the processing techniques, including the use of harmful substances like kerosene and engine oil to burn off animal hides, were not only unhygienic but also posed significant health risks, including the potential to cause cancer.
He noted that these methods were commonly practiced in Nigerian slaughterhouses, where cows’ necks are severed and hides are treated with toxic chemicals to facilitate skin removal.
“Carcinogens are substances that increase the risk of cancer, and we are essentially consuming cancerous materials through improper ponmo processing,” Maiha stated.
“It is not only poisonous but also dangerous for consumption. This is the reality we must confront.”
Maiha further explained that the poor handling of ponmo, a product that has the potential to create significant employment and contribute massively to the Nigerian economy, is an example of how Nigerians are “eating their own jobs.”
He highlighted that the hide and skin alone could create up to 700,000 jobs and contribute an estimated N23 billion to the economy if properly processed.
Additionally, the minister shared insights into the broader vision of transforming the livestock sector.
He disclosed that his ministry, which was established in October 2024, has already initiated reforms aimed at addressing the challenges faced by Nigerian herders, including cattle rustling and security issues.
These efforts are part of a larger strategy to boost private sector participation, drive industrialization, and increase Nigeria’s presence in the global agricultural market.
Maiha revealed that the ministry is also focusing on the potential of animal by-products traditionally considered waste, such as bones and organs, which can be processed and exported for pharmaceutical uses.
This, he believes, will not only improve Nigeria’s revenue generation but also diversify the economy.
In terms of long-term goals, Maiha outlined that the ministry aims to increase its contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 5 percent to 10 percent by 2030.
He assured that reforms, including the revamping of veterinary services and ambulatories across the country, were already underway.
“We are laying the foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth in the livestock sector,” the minister concluded, underscoring the commitment to transforming the industry and securing a better future for Nigerians.
This announcement comes as part of the ministry’s wider objective to revitalize the livestock industry, tackle the challenges of food security, and create thousands of jobs for the country’s growing population.
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