Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State has distributed empowerment tools to 1,900 butchers and unveiled plans to establish dedicated cottage industry hubs at strategic locations across the state, aiming to formalise the informal economy and strengthen the livestock value chain.
The initiative, executed through the Cottage Trade and Street Hawking Agency, was announced on Thursday during the official distribution event in Kano.
Mr Kabir-Yusuf confirmed that provisions for the enterprise hubs have been made in the 2026 budget, with all necessary groundwork completed and implementation scheduled to begin shortly. The facilities will feature specialised sections for meat processing, leather processing, and tannery operations, creating an integrated value chain designed to maximise the economic potential of livestock products.
In alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to promote made-in-Nigeria goods, the hubs are expected to function as centres of production and innovation. Beyond enhancing the beneficiaries’ businesses, the governor noted that the project would generate thousands of additional employment opportunities for young people in meat processing, leatherworks, hides and skin trading, and transportation.
Reaffirming the strategic importance of the butchery trade to Kano’s economy, the governor underscored its role in supporting households, ensuring food security, and supplying raw materials for the leather sector. He urged beneficiaries to utilise the tools judiciously, uphold stringent hygiene standards, and encourage unregistered colleagues to enrol for future interventions.
Earlier, the Director-General of the agency, Khalifa Bichi, disclosed that over 400,000 petty traders, artisans, and street hawkers have been profiled across the state, adding that further empowerment initiatives for other categories of small-scale entrepreneurs are currently underway.
