The Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has trained 1,000 women entrepreneurs across Nigeria to harness the economic potential of the gemstone mining and jewellery industry. The two-day event, held in Lagos, aimed to equip women with skills to thrive in this sector.
Executive Secretary of SMDF, Hajia Fatima Shinkafi, emphasized the government’s commitment to economic diversification, highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to reduce dependence on crude oil. Shinkafi also thanked the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, for his strong support of the initiative, particularly his advocacy for women’s empowerment in mining.
“The training in gemstones and jewelry provides women with economic independence, essential skills, and social empowerment,” said Shinkafi. She added that the nation is unlocking a lucrative market by equipping women, and breaking barriers for equal industry access.
Shinkafi stressed that Nigeria’s gemstone resources have been underutilized but hold immense potential. “This training is planting seeds of creativity, entrepreneurship, and resilience, which will benefit participants, their families, and the wider society,” she stated. The program will train 1,000 women, starting with 100 in the first cohort.
Dr. Janet Adeyemi, President of Women in Mining Engineering, reflected on her experience in the House of Representatives, where she and her colleagues advocated for diversification from oil and gas. She recalled how former President Olusegun Obasanjo supported revitalizing the mining sector, and she expressed excitement about empowering women to capitalize on gemstones’ economic value.
Similarly, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines and Cambodia, Folakemi Akinleye, highlighted the benefits of the training for rural women and its potential to create new opportunities in mining. She noted the active role women play in the Philippines’ mining sector and called for more resources to overcome challenges like limited skills and funding in Nigeria.
Dr. Tersoo Aga, a mineral deposits expert, underscored Nigeria’s vast gemstone resources, with over 500 deposits spanning 400 kilometers. He pointed out that Nigeria holds the world’s largest topaz deposit, rare sapphires valued at one million naira per gram, and a unique tourmaline found only in Nigeria and Brazil that surpasses the value of diamonds.
The SMDF’s training program aims to create long-term economic benefits for women in Nigeria’s gemstone sector. Through increased skills, creativity, and entrepreneurship, women will be able to transform this underutilized resource into profitable businesses, driving both individual and national economic growth.
