Imagine stepping into a luxury boutique in Lagos, with your eyes focused on a pair of beautiful leather Shoes with a “Made in Italy” tag. You pay N300,000 for the pair, and walk out feeling like a boss. But here’s the twist—those boots probably came from a talented shoe maker in Jos, Plateau State, likely sold for just N60,000. Some sneaky middlemen change the label, hike the price, and smile all the way to the bank.
These scams rob Nigerians of millions every day while hiding the real heroes of our shoe game. In this article, we expose the truth with fresh facts, and real stories from Jos artisans. Get ready to rethink before buying your next shoe and celebrate our homegrown talent rather than spending on foreign fakes.
The Hidden Power: Why Jos Leather Shoes Beat the Rest
Jos produces leather shoes that last longer and feel better. This is a result of its special spot on the map and the special hands that craft the shoes. Jos City sits high up at over 1,200 meters above sea level, where the cool and dry air is usually around 20-25°C. This helps cure animal hides slowly. This natural advantage makes the leather in Jos not only thick but also strong. It also helps in preventing cracks even in Nigeria’s hot and wet weather. No wonder our locally made shoes stick around for many years while the foreign imports fall apart easily.
But it’s our local artisans who make the magic.
For generations, skills have been passed down in places like Naraguta Leather Works, which has been operating since 1935. There, artisans mostly use old-school methods like hand-stitching and lasting. The result? Shoes that perfectly fit like a dream and hold up strongly. Nigeria’s leather world is so huge. It processes about 43 million animal skins yearly and creates over 9,300 direct jobs. However, Plateau State leads the pack, with the industry employing over 750,000 people nationwide and targeting $1 billion in exports soon. In 2025 alone, leather sales brought in $800 million, showing Jos’s big role in this boom.
Fun Fact
Jos leather craft is mixed with its mining history, and it’s turning villages like Naraguta into hubs where families can create everything from boots to bags. Women are beginning to join in too, and this squashes old ideas that shoemaking is a men’s profession. They create masterpieces that carefully blend tradition with modern style, making Jos leather products eco-friendly and unique. The international leather market in Nigeria has hit $85 million this year, growing fast at 4.57% yearly. But why do we pay extra funds importing when local hides from our animals get that high-altitude boost for real toughness?
Meet the Masters: Real Artisans Crafting Jos’s Best Shoes
Behind every great shoe coming out of Jos is a story of hard work and creativity. Jos, Plateau State is a fashion city and everyone knows what a good shoe looks like. This keeps our shoe makers at the top of their game. We’ll briefly talk about a few of them that stand out:
1. Abdullahi Shuaibu (Naraguta Leather Works)
Mr. Shuaibu is a true custodian of the region’s leather heritage. He is best known for running one of the oldest and most respected leather tanneries and workshops, Naraguta Leather Works. What makes him unique is that his business doesn’t just make the final shoe; it controls the entire process, from preparing the raw leather to the final stitch. This complete control over quality and material sourcing is why his products—which include tough, durable traditional leather goods and modern footwear—are consistently top-notch.
2. Yeshak Titshak Mwanpus (Naraguta Area Shoemaker)
Mr. Mwanpus–based in Naraguta typically represent the new generation of skilled artisans who creatively blend the area’s rich leather heritage with the more modern, and fashionable designs. His work is popular for its precise finishing and his careful attention to details in producing contemporary styles like loafers and oxfords.
He stands out because he bridges the gap between the local leather base shoes and the latest fashion trends and the need for shoes that match the demands by city boutiques.
Moving beyond Naraguta, other master shoemakers in Jos are setting a new standard for Nigerian-made luxury:
3. The Dung-Gwom Brothers (Jmofs Enterprises)
Gyang and Daniel Dung-Gwom, the founders of Jmofs Enterprises in the Gwarandok area of Jos South. These brothers are unique because of their clear global brand vision and their commitment to training. They evolved from being mere shoe-repairs to becoming a well-known brand.
They specialize in high-end, customized (bespoke) footwear. They stand out by ensuring all their products; shoes, belts, or wallets are made from the finest, locally sourced African leather. The Dung-Gwom brothers create top quality footwear and they constantly empower local youths through their shoe-making academy.
4. David Mollanni
David Mollanni is known for creating the kind of shoes that perfectly fit the description of an average Nigerian: high-quality and affordable footwear. He has mastered the art of creating beautiful pieces that have the look and feel of expensive foreign brands but are very affordable.
David’s uniqueness lies in his commitment to making top-quality products affordable, he has proven that world-class style and durability can be achieved without breaking the bank or having unnecessary foreign labels.
5. Peejay Footwears.
They make all-handmade leather shoes, belts, and bags with care, shipping nationwide.
These folks aren’t just makers; they’re innovators.Their stories clearly show how Jos turns raw materials into treasures, supporting their families and boosting the state’s economy.
The Dirty Trick: How the Scammers Steal Your Cash
This fraud is fueled by our love for foreign products. The “Country of Origin Effect” makes us think that imported products are always better. Several researches show that Nigerians often buy foreign goods for status, even when local ones shine brighter. Boutique owners exploit this: They visit Jos, buy top shoes from artisans like David Mollanni or Abdullahi Shuaibu for N50,000-N60,000, then slap on fake European labels in their stores. Boom—the price hikes to N250,000 or more, a 300-500% markup.
The fancy tag fools you into paying for “exclusivity”. It’s a raw deal: You get overcharged, and our Jos makers lose credit. This scam hurts big time, especially now that Nigeria just opened West Africa’s largest leather hub, pushing for real growth. Global leather trade is $407 billion, but fakes are keeping Nigeria from grabbing even more. It’s high time we wake up. The shoe quality in Jos often tops mass-made imports without the lies.
Skip the Scammers: Grab Real Jos Shoes Quality for Way Less
You can beat off the scammers by going directly to our local artisans. This will save you about 50-70% of your money and you’ll also be supporting our local talent. Search online for Jos brands like: Jmofs Enterprises—they won awards for excellence and their training of youths in shoemaking worldwide.
Head to Naraguta workshops for customized orders and get about 60% discount. Chat with artisans like Aliyu Shuaibu. They can make customized shoes just for you, no extras.
Also, when you go to the boutiques, ask straight: “Is this from Nigeria?” No clear answer? Ditch the scam markup. We should support our local shoe makers, help pump cash into the state’s economy, and create more jobs.
The Bigger Picture: Why Jos Leather Changes Nigeria
Accepting shoes made in Jos doesn’t just impact the present —but also builds our future. The industry battles with several hazards like dust and noise, but artisans are pushing on with safety know-how. With the start of new hubs and festivals, like the annual Leather & Arts event in Naraguta, tourists troop in to closely see the craft. Our homegrown designers are hitting luxury spots, putting Plateau State on the map. Your patronage could go a long way in training a young maker or spark eco-innovations.
It’s time we stop the scam cycle. Choose Jos leather because of its tough build, fair cost, and proud Nigerian roots. Share your story if you’ve ever been tricked. It’s high time we spread the word and lift Plateau State high.