The Nigerian export agency says 71% of Nigeria's leather products are exported to Italy and Spain. . . . The shoes, bags, and belts assembled from this leather will bear labels like "Made in Italy" but give no credit to the Nigerian workers who did the dirty first steps. . . .

The first step of the tanning process is called sanwa ko patoz. The workers soak hides in a mixture of ash, sodium chloride, pigeon droppings, and ram dung. This makes the hides softer and easier to peel, [tannery worker Aliyu Garba, called "Baba"] explains.

- Temiloluwa Johnson, Hide and seek: Meet the Nigerians who make your genuine 'Italian' leather, Issue 214 of The Continent #Africa #Nigeria #fashion