You hae probably sent an email or a WhatsApp message today, but when was the last time you actually held an envelope?
Well, today is World Envelope Day! It’s a global thing that started right here in Nigeria a few years ago to remind us that paper isn’t dead yet. But it’s not just about nostalgia; experts say there’s a lot of money—billions, actually—trapped in our old paper mills that we really need to unlock.
It’s April 16th, and while your inbox might be full, the humble envelope is still working hard in the background.
President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, LCCI, Leye Kupoluyi, says we’re actually sitting on a goldmine. He believes the paper industry is a massive opportunity for Nigeria, especially since we still need hard copies for everything from school records to official government business.
Then there’s the export side of things. Princess Funlayo Bakare-Okeowo, who runs FAE Limited, says paper could basically be Nigeria’s second oil. This is because the world is moving away from plastic and back to eco-friendly paper.
She points out that wood-free paper is selling for about $1,300 a ton globally. But Nigeria seems to be sleeping on this, as the country’s local mills are simply gathering dust.
Experts are telling the government and investors to stop sleeping on the paper mill sector. They want those dormant mills back up and running so Nigeria can stop importing and start exporting.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
