The 4th Nigeria Gemstones and Jewellery Conference and Exhibition (NGJCE 2026) has ended in Ibadan, Oyo State, with stakeholders across the mining, gemstones and jewellery value chain renewing their commitment to positioning Nigeria as a globally competitive destination for gemstones and jewellery.
The three-day conference, organised by the Gemstones Miners and Marketers Association of Nigeria (GMMAN), was held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan and brought together government officials, mining operators, gemstone marketers, jewellery manufacturers, designers, investors, financial institutions, security agencies, researchers, development partners and policymakers.
The conference, which had the theme, “Branding and Promotion of Nigeria’s Amazing Gemstones and Jewelry for Global Visibility and Maximum Value,” focused on practical measures to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s gemstone industry through branding, investment, value addition, responsible mining, technology adoption, market expansion and sustainable development.
In his welcome address, GMMAN President, Engr. Adeniran Ajibade, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to making Nigeria a preferred global destination for gemstones and jewellery.
Ajibade said stronger partnerships among industry stakeholders, increased local value addition, skills development, responsible mining practices and greater participation in international markets were critical to achieving the objective.
He described the annual conference as an important platform for policy dialogue, investment promotion, business networking and the development of the gemstone and jewellery industry.
The opening ceremony featured goodwill messages from government agencies and major stakeholders in the mining sector.
The Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, represented by the Director of Minerals and Project Development, Dr. Martina Ananaba, reiterated the agency’s commitment to initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable growth and investment in Nigeria’s mining industry.
Also speaking, the South-West Regional Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Arc. Benedict Itegbe, who represented the Executive Director of the council, Ms. Nonye Ayeni, stressed the importance of export readiness, product standardisation, value addition and strategic branding.
Itegbe noted that Nigeria’s gemstones must be properly processed, packaged and positioned to meet international market requirements if the country is to maximise their economic value and improve its competitiveness in the global market.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, represented by the Deputy Director, Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade Department, Dr. Kalu Kalu, officially declared the conference open.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to policies designed to attract investment, strengthen regulatory systems and promote sustainable development across the mining sector.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, represented by the Director of Concessions, Alhaji Abdulmajeed Ibrahim, assured participants that the agency would continue to promote legal, transparent and regulatory-compliant mining operations.
Representing the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Deacon Oladejo Owolabi, highlighted the potential of the proposed Ibadan International Jewellery and Gem Centre to transform the regional economy.
He described the proposed centre as a landmark initiative capable of attracting investment, promoting tourism, creating employment opportunities and strengthening Ibadan’s position within Nigeria’s gemstone and jewellery industry.
Other dignitaries at the conference included the President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Dele Ayanleke, and the President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Ms. Rose Ndong, who was represented by the Society’s Vice President, Hon. Matthew Oyedokun.
Stakeholders seek stronger global branding
Discussions throughout the conference centred on the need for Nigeria to develop a stronger identity for its gemstones and finished jewellery in the international market.
Experts called for improved certification systems, digital marketing, ethical sourcing, traceability mechanisms and compliance with international quality standards.
Participants argued that Nigeria could not fully benefit from its mineral wealth without building consumer confidence and ensuring that gemstones entering domestic and international markets could be traced, certified and authenticated.
They also emphasised the need to strengthen transparency and integrity across the gemstone value chain, particularly as international consumers and investors increasingly demand responsible sourcing and compliance with environmental, social and governance standards.
Banks urged to support gemstone businesses
Financing was also identified as a major factor that could determine the pace of growth of Nigeria’s gemstone industry.
During a technical presentation, Mr. John Ikhena of ProvidusUnity Bank, representing the bank’s Group Head, Large Corporate and Structured Finance, Dr. Abiodun Ariyo, examined financing opportunities available to operators in the industry.
He encouraged gemstone and jewellery businesses to formalise their operations, improve corporate governance and develop bankable investment proposals that could attract funding from commercial banks, institutional investors and development finance institutions.
Participants noted that access to affordable and sustainable financing would be necessary to expand mining operations, establish modern cutting and polishing facilities, develop jewellery manufacturing capacity and enable Nigerian businesses to compete effectively in international markets.
Security agencies demand stronger collaboration
Security also emerged as a major issue during the conference, with participants linking insecurity, illegal mining and gemstone smuggling to the loss of revenue and investment opportunities in the sector.
Representatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service and Department of State Services (DSS) called for stronger inter-agency cooperation to tackle illegal mining and the illicit movement of gemstones.
They advocated improved intelligence sharing, stronger community engagement and enhanced surveillance of mining areas and borders.
The security agencies also stressed the importance of collaboration between government authorities, legitimate mining operators and host communities in identifying and addressing illegal activities within the sector.
A major conclusion from the technical sessions was the need for Nigeria to move away from dependence on the export of rough gemstones and develop greater capacity to process and manufacture finished products locally.
Stakeholders said increased investment in gemstone cutting and polishing, jewellery manufacturing, design education, certification, innovation and branding would enable the country to capture a larger share of the value generated from its mineral resources.
They maintained that producing finished jewellery domestically would create more jobs, develop technical skills, strengthen local manufacturing and generate higher export earnings than exporting largely unprocessed gemstones.
The conference also provided a platform for Nigeria’s creative industry through a Jewellery Runway Show, which featured handcrafted jewellery made from locally sourced gemstones.
The exhibition demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian designers and manufacturers to transform locally mined minerals into high-quality luxury products.
The display also underscored the potential intersection between mining and Nigeria’s growing fashion, creative and manufacturing industries, particularly in the development of internationally marketable jewellery brands.
At the end of the conference, stakeholders expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among government institutions, private-sector operators, financial institutions, development partners, researchers and security agencies would accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s gemstone and jewellery industry.
They renewed commitments to strengthening policies, attracting investment, promoting responsible mining, improving security, expanding local manufacturing and increasing the international visibility of Nigerian gemstones and jewellery.
The organisers said the ultimate objective was to ensure that Nigeria moves beyond being predominantly a source of raw gemstones to becoming a recognised global centre for gemstone processing, jewellery design, manufacturing and export.
The 5th Nigeria Gemstones and Jewellery Conference and Exhibition (NGJCE 2027) is scheduled to hold from August 2 to 4, 2027, with organisers projecting wider participation, stronger partnerships and increased industry engagement.
