Nigerian military needs N9bn annually for shoes, boots – Bureau

The Director-General of the Defence Research and Development Bureau, Abuja, Jumo Osahor, says the Armed Forces of Nigeria need about N9 billion to provide military boots annually to meet soldiers’ kitting needs.

Mr Osahor, an air vice marshal, stated this on Thursday in a paper he delivered at 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.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is: “The Contributions of Leather Science, Technology and Innovation to the Nigerian Economy and National Security.”

NAN also reports that the Commandant spoke on: “Indigenous Leather Production and Military Kitting: The Armed Forces of Nigeria Perspective.”

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will require about N9 billion to provide a pair of work 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 channelled 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 utilise leather materials as part of their military kitting.

– NAN