LEATHER INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH OF ABA, ABIA STATE, 1970-2019

Abstract

Leather is a unique commodity that links grassroots villages with high societies and traditional practices with emerging technologies. For many developing countries, leather and leather manufacturers constitute an indispensable and dependable source for export trade and foreign exchange earnings. It is therefore, evident that for a society to attain economic growth, she must be a producing society and one that engages in export of her finished products. For this to be achieved, the society must be one that is industrialized. Aba has, within few decades since Nigeria’s independence, made some significant gains in the leather industry especially being manufacturer and exporter of leather products (footwear, bag, belt and furniture). This was seen in 1970, when the people of Aba whom, after the Nigeria/Biafra war made a significant shift from production of rubber foot wears to leather works, with the aim of reeling out from the devastating effects of the war. By 2019, the leather industry in Aba had received some meaningful attention from government both; the state and federal government, especially, the administration of Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu. Despite the progress made, Aba leather works manufacturers are still struggling to compete with her foreign counterparts, for instance Italy and China. What could be the cause? Is there any link between the leather industry and Aba in terms of economic growth? In achieving this, a qualitative historical research method was used. Qualitative research is a critical description of past events presented in a chronologically and thematically way. Data was derived from primary (findings derived from observation of the area and oral interviews conducted) and secondary sources of information (books, journal articles) to fill this gap that will be of immense value. It is on this premise that this paper argues that, though, the leather industry in Aba has affected the economic growth of the people positively but it is faced with numerous challenges. It concluded by proffering recommendations where necessary.