Abstract

Donkey trade in the past was localised because of its unattractive profit margins; but in recent years from the early 1990s to date, the nature and pattern of the trade changed from local to national and even at international level. The reason for this development was due to the involvement of the Chinese in the trade sector. Chinese have involved in buying donkey skin in Nigeria and other African countries which they use to produce medicines (Ejiao which is a medicine produce from donkey hides known to cure many ailments from cold to insomnia, anemia, miscarriage, excessive bleeding during menstruation or after birth, etc). This led to the hiking of donkey prices and the enrollment of many people in the trade to enjoy the advantage of the trade. Novelty The purpose of this research is to discuss development and the changing nature of the trade in Sokoto State of Nigeria which occur as a result of Chinese involvement in the trade. The methodology adopted in conducting this research was collection and interpretation of both primary and secondary sources. Oral source provided about 50% while the remaining 50% of the data used in writing the paper was secondary source. The research found out the changing nature of donkey trade in Sokoto which occur due to the involvement of Chinese in the trade who buy the animal’s skin at very exorbitant price which later attracts massive enrollment of people in the trade as a result of its great profit retrieving. The paper is first of its kind especially in the area of study and will serve as a foundation for other researches in the future who want to conduct similar research.