NJOMACS

Nigeria’s leather industry possesses significant cultural and economic potential, yet it remains constrained by weak value addition, limited global visibility, and the declining recognition of indigenous craftsmanship. Despite the intrinsic quality of Nigerian leather, the sector continues to function largely as a supplier of semi-processed raw materials, resulting in the erosion of cultural identity and lost development opportunities. This study examines how communication-centered strategies can contribute to the revitalization and repositioning of Nigeria’s leather industry. Anchored in a dual theoretical framework integrating Participatory Communication theory and the Social Construction of Value perspective, the study explores how stakeholder engagement and cultural meaning-making shape value perception and industrial outcomes. Using a qualitative research approach, the study analyses relevant literature, policy documents, and sectoral reports on participatory communication, cultural branding, indigenous knowledge systems, and leather industry development in Nigeria and comparable African contexts. The analysis reveals persistent structural, institutional, and socio-cultural constraints, including inadequate stakeholder participation, fragmented policy implementation, cultural devaluation of local products, and limited integration of indigenous knowledge systems. The findings demonstrate that participatory communication plays a critical role in bridging policy–practice gaps, fostering inclusive governance, and enabling the co-creation of cultural narratives that enhance value perception. Simultaneously, the Social Construction of Value framework elucidates how cultural narratives and symbolic meanings influence the valuation and market positioning of Nigerian leather. The study contributes to Communication for Development scholarship by extending participatory communication theory into an industrial and value-chain context, while offering policy-relevant insights for integrating communication, cultural capital, and stakeholder engagement into sustainable and inclusive industrial development strategies.