Nigerian govt. trains 40 students in jewelry making, others

Olamilenka Adegbite, the minister of mines and steel development, says the government has selected 40 students to be trained in jewelry object design, manufacturing, stone setting, costing and market research.

The trainees, selected across the country’s six geopolitical zones, will undergo eight months master training programme. They, upon completion, are expected to go back to their states to open clusters, where they will train others. The state governments are also expected to assist the trainees.

Adegbite, in his remark, lamented that “the gemstone and jewelry industry in Nigeria has remained undeveloped”.

He adds the gemstone are being “mined by artisanal mining operations and sold as rough gemstones in Germany, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the United States.”

The minister said the jewelry industry can contribute significantly to national economic growth and increase living standards of the people.

With Nigeria being a large consumer of jewelry products from the United Arab Emirates, India, China and Europe, Adegbite said the country providing local but quality jewelry would save scare foreign exchange, encourage tourism and manufacturing of local crafts.