FG to establish more gemstone, jewellery centres nationwide

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to establishing more gemstone and jewellery-making centres across the country to enhance entrepreneurship in the mining industry and promote local value addition.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed this during a tour of the Laurel School of Mining in Abuja. He commended the centre for its leadership in training jewellery and gemstone makers, expressing satisfaction with the quality of products being created, which he said were comparable to international standards.

“From our raw materials such as gold, sapphire, and gemstones, we are now seeing finished products—jewelry—being created at this centre. That is value addition. This is a significant contribution to our mining industry, which has the potential to provide employment for our youth, drive industrialization, and generate more revenue for the country,” Alake stated.

The Minister assured that the government would strengthen production at the centre and confirmed that additional centres would be established nationwide once the implementation of the 2025 budget begins. He also emphasized the need to scale up jewellery production not only to meet local demand but also to position the sector as a major foreign exchange earner through exports.

Speaking during the visit, the Managing Director and CEO of Laurel School of Mining, Tope Adebanjo, expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s support, noting that the ongoing Batch 4 Advanced Master Class training would not have been possible without government backing.

He outlined plans to develop more entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s gemstone and jewellery sector and called for continued assistance to ensure the centre’s equipment is fully utilized to foster economic growth and job creation.

In response, Alake welcomed the initiative and directed Adebanjo to submit a detailed proposal to the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary Ogbe, for further action.

The Laurel School of Mining is a professional training facility dedicated to advancing Nigeria’s gem and jewellery industry. It focuses on mining, exploration, and the manufacturing of high-quality gemstones and jewellery, with support from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.