RismadarVoice Reporters
October 14, 2026
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s mining industry have warned that the continued export of unprocessed gemstones is depriving the country of employment opportunities, industrial development and substantial potential revenue.
The industry operators called for increased investment in local gemstone processing, affordable financing, technical training and improved access to markets to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in the global gemstone and jewellery industry.
Speaking at the 11th Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja, the stakeholders argued that Nigeria could generate greater economic value by processing its mineral resources domestically rather than exporting them primarily as raw materials.
They identified gemstone cutting, polishing, grading, treatment, jewellery manufacturing and branding as important activities capable of creating jobs and supporting indigenous businesses.
The Country Manager of Adelia, Segun Okoh, advocated the establishment of integrated gemstone processing clusters across mining communities.
Okoh said such clusters would bring mining, processing, grading and jewellery production closer together, reducing transportation costs and allowing local communities to benefit from activities beyond mineral extraction.
Drawing attention to Tanzania’s gemstone industry, he stressed the importance of developing a coordinated system for training skilled workers and supporting entrepreneurs.
According to him, technical knowledge alone would not be sufficient to develop a competitive industry without access to financing and business management skills.
He explained that continuous training programmes, supported by investment and entrepreneurship development, could help create sustainable businesses capable of employing more Nigerians.
Okoh also called for stronger quality-control systems and regulatory incentives that would encourage operators to participate in the formal gemstone market.
He maintained that a well-organised processing industry could create opportunities for artisanal miners, women, young people and other participants across the mineral value chain.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of Laurel School of Mines, Tope Adebanjo, expressed concern that Nigeria was losing opportunities to create value by exporting gemstones without sufficient local processing.
Adebanjo said his institution, established in 2013, had focused on developing entrepreneurs with skills in gemstone processing and jewellery production.
He identified gemstone enhancement, treatment, evaluation and manufacturing as areas requiring greater investment and specialised training.
According to him, transforming raw gemstones into marketable finished products would help retain more economic value within Nigeria while creating opportunities for skilled employment.
Adebanjo cited Thailand’s gemstone and jewellery industry as an example of how investment in processing expertise and manufacturing could support a competitive international market.
He urged government agencies and private investors to prioritise the development of local processing capacity rather than concentrating primarily on mineral extraction.
The President of the Gemstones Miners and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Engineer Adeniran Ajibade, also called for sustained technical training, stronger product branding and improved access to domestic and international markets.
Ajibade stressed the need for Nigeria to establish a recognisable identity for its gemstones and strengthen the competitiveness of locally processed products.
The stakeholders further identified inadequate infrastructure, limited financing, security concerns and insufficient technical capacity as challenges affecting the development of the industry.
They called for collaboration among government institutions, mining associations, financial organisations and private investors to establish processing facilities and expand opportunities for small-scale operators.
Industry participants maintained that developing a complete gemstone value chain could support manufacturing, increase export earnings from finished products and reduce the country’s dependence on raw mineral exports.
They emphasised that achieving these objectives would require sustained investment, appropriate regulation and practical support for businesses operating across the gemstone industry.
