WIMIN Canvass Responsible Sourcing, Value Addition to Strengthen Nigeria’s Position in Global Jewelry Market

Esther Oluku

In a bid to entrench global best practices within Nigeria’s solid minerals industry and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global jewellery industry, Women in Mining Nigeria (WIMIN) have called for responsible sourcing and cutting edge value addition to better position Nigerian gemstones on the global solid minerals market.

This submission was made on the sidelines of a reception hosted by WIMIN in collaboration with Sip and Paint Nigeria, in honour of Miss Universe Nigeria, Basil Onyinyechi, ahead of the World Miss Universe contest in Thailand.

Speaking on behalf of the WIMIN, Adesua Dan-Princewill, explained that as the world moves towards responsible sourcing of solid minerals, Nigeria must take responsibility to ensure global best practices within her solid minerals industry to attract global competitiveness and investment.

This she said begins with prioritising better conditions on the mining sites and including industry players in policy making among other initiatives.

Dan-Princewill noted that lack of value addition significantly reduces the value of Nigeria’s gemstones in the global market while calling on artisans to upskill to avoid being underpriced and undervalued.

“We do not want a situation where our rough minerals are being exported for pennies on the dollar. We are saying that is enough. The world is talking about traceability to ensure that jewellery is responsibly sourced and this is a fantastic opportunity for Nigeria.

“Nigeria has some of the best sapphires in the world. We have aquamarines, we have tourmalines and other beautiful stones. The market is huge but we need to have the skill to make global standard jewellery,’ she said.

As part of efforts to close the skills gap she stated that jewellers, artisans within the gemstones industry and interested participants should take advantage of the Africa Gold and Jewelry Exhibition and Conference (AGJEC) to master the art of sourcing, cutting, designing and crafting global standard jewellery.

Billed to hold from Monday November 24th to Friday November 29th 2025, the event will host masterclasses for
beginners, intermediate and advanced jewellers, with globally renowned jeweller, Labi Akapo.

Akapo, a Nigerian-British jeweller of global reckoning will be bringing to bare over four decades of experience as a jeweller at this year’s AGJEC, exploring global perspectives while enlightening participants on the business of gemstones.

Also, the event will host an exhibition from industry professionals, a business conference for participants and will end with a gala night on Friday, November 29th, 2025.

Dan-Princewill, who is also the Chairperson of this year’s AGJEC noted that the event presents an opportunity for participants to equip yourself themselves with the skills and competences to position themselves in the global gemstones market, learn how to identify gemstones and trade opportunities in the gemstones value chain.

“WIMIN is looking at this year’s AGJEC differently. We are saying, what did international brands like Cartier do that made them so big? What made Tiffany big? What is happening in Africa? Who has emerged? What did they do to get it done?”

With over 37 African countries represented at last years conference, Dan-Princewill explained that this year’s event will build on last year’s successes to continue the vision of strengthening African position in the global gemstones industry.

In her parting words to Miss Basil, she said “We, the Women in Mining, care about you. We want you to understand who you are. The crown on your head is a symbol of your heritage. The gemstones were sourced, cut, designed and crafted by Nigerians and even the silver was sourced here in Nigeria. It is not just about your physical beauty. It is about who we are as a people.”