The Charted Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) on Monday appealed to the Federal Government to revive moribund papers mills across the country.

The institute President, Mr Muhammad Wahab, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the country was losing foreign exchange due to the huge importation of raw materials in the sector.

Wahab said that the printing and packaging industry had become more viable now due to the increasing online outfits that used paper materials.

He, however, lamented that 90 per cent or more of the raw materials were being imported, adding that the importation was making the nation to lose foreign exchange.

“We import most, if not all of our raw materials, I mean about 90 per cent. It amounts to robbing ourselves of some revenue and inability to maximise profit.

“This is why our importers can afford to treat us the way they like. If goods arrive and they decide to hike the price, we will remain at their mercy and customers will have to pay more.

“Just like we have always done, we urge the government to look into revamping the paper industry, many of the ones we have are dormant.

“The industry is getting more competitive by the day and we are hopeful that the government will invest in it,” he said.

Mr Obiora Chukwu, the coordinator of paper dealers in Mushin, Lagos, said online sales had boosted the demand for handmade paper boxes and cartons, thereby creating more jobs in the sub-sector.

According to Chukwu, demand for paper products like boxes and bags have increased by more than 50 per cent.

“The paper industry has really improved because of home and office deliveries from online sales outlets.

“Most of our customers are small and medium enterprises and large online stores and this has been good.

“Before now only few people asked for them. I think it is an area the government should look into for regulation and investment,” Chukwu said.

Ms Olaitan Badru, who owns a carton-making business in Mushin, also said the business had started to thrive.

Badru said that foods and even wedding souvenirs were now being packaged and customised in fanciful cartons.

NAN recalls that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said the capacity utilisation in the sector rose to 80 per cent in the first quarter of 2015 from 61.1 per cent in the first half of 2013.

Euromonitor International, also in its report in 2015, predicted a rise in the demand for packaging products due to the increased number of malls and departmental stores across Africa, especially in Nigeria.