Towards Optimising Pulp and Paper Production Capacities in Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, pulp and paper production capacities are low due to dependence on foreign inputs. Two of the three primary pulp and paper mills established in the 1960’s to 1970’s performed optimally till the 1980’s. In 1985 and 1986, capacity utilization in Nigeria paper mill reached 62.3% and 66.17% respectively. Also by 1988, the importation of newsprint had stopped. However, in 1996, the mills stopped production leading to complete dependence on importation of paper and paper products. This resulted in the expenditure of an estimated amount of 500 billion naira annually on importation of paper products. To ensure optimal pulp and paper capacities, government need to deliberately promote investment in small scale pulp and paper mills, agro residues pulping and production of specialized types of handmade paper. Likewise, long fibre pulp production from Sterculia setigera, Sterculia oblonga and Hibiscuss cannabinus has become imperative to save foreign exchange.

Keywords: agricultural residues, integrated, handmade paper, long fibre, pitch deposit, kenaf, and bamboo