Nigeria Armed Forces Needs N9bn For Shoes, Boots Annually – Osahor

It is estimated that Nigeria armed forces require about N9 billion to provide military boots annually to meet soldiers kitting needs.

Director-General, Defence Research and Development Bureau, Abuja, AVM Jumo Osahor, made this known in a paper he delivered during the Third Annual National Conference organised by the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists of Nigeria (SLTCN) at the Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST), Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Speaking on the theme: “Indigenous Leather Production and Military Kitting: The Armed Forces of Nigeria Perspective,” he said, “the Armed Forces of Nigeria will require about N9 billion to provide a pair of working shoes and boots for each soldier.

“The amount will double if we are to provide two pairs each per soldier every year. This huge sum of money if channeled to the indigenous leather industry will go a long way in revamping the sector and improving our national economy as well as security forces and provide jobs to our teeming youths.

“However, the leather industry in Nigeria is yet to take advantage of the huge potential that exists in the military leather requirements of the AFN.”

He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force all utilize leather materials as part of their military kitting. “These range from service shoes to combat boots among others. With strength of over 200,000 personnel, the requirement for shoes and boots is quite enormous especially with the requirement of at least two pairs of shoes and boots each per personnel per year.

“This translates to about more than half a million pairs of leather wares that could be provided through indigenous leather production industry yearly.

“At an estimated cost of N30,000.00 for a pair of quality working shoes (Bates) and N15,000.00 for combat boots,”

Earlier, the National President, SLTCN, Dr Solomon Tanko said the essence of the conference was for professionals to deliberate and brainstorm on prospects and contributions of leather to national growth and development.

He described the leather industry as strategic in view of its importance and critical role in the diversification of the nation’s economy.