The Donkey Skin Processors Marketers and Exporters Association (DSPMEA) has pushed back against claims from a UK-based group, Donkey Sanctuary, that Nigerian donkeys are on the brink of extinction. According to the association, Nigeria’s donkey market has the potential to generate as much as $2 billion per year.

DSPMEA’s National Vice President, Ifeanyi Dike, explained that the association, in partnership with Earthwheel Logistics Ltd, has invested heavily in breeding, processing, and exporting donkeys. Ranches have already been established in Bauchi, Jigawa, and Anambra states to help grow the donkey population and reduce reliance on imports. Dike added that these efforts would increase the donkey population to millions in the near future, aligning with the government’s goal of diversifying the agriculture sector.

To safeguard local stock, DSPMEA is working with the Nigerian Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) to develop a structured breeding plan. The association is also urging the government to avoid placing a ban on donkey-related businesses, as the value chain supports over 5,000 jobs across breeding, processing, and sales.

Dike emphasized that donkeys hold cultural significance in Nigeria, particularly in the Southeast and South-South regions, where they are used in traditional ceremonies. He stressed that the initiative not only aims to protect the donkey population but also create economic value, as seen in countries like Pakistan and Egypt.

He concluded by urging stakeholders to focus on the opportunities presented by the donkey business, reassuring them that fears of extinction are unfounded and that the sector has great potential for job creation and foreign exchange earnings.