The Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has taken significant strides toward empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria through training programs in gemstone mining and jewellery making. Recently, a two-day training session held in Lagos equipped 1,000 women from diverse backgrounds with essential skills to tap into the potential of the gemstone industry. Hajia Fatima Shinkafi, the Executive Secretary of SMDF, highlighted the initiative as part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to reducing reliance on crude oil and fostering economic diversification. The program aims to harness and cultivate the nation’s rich solid mineral resources, thereby contributing to sustainable growth.
During the training, Shinkafi underscored the unwavering support of Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, who has championed women’s empowerment in the mining sector. Alake has consistently advocated for equipping women with the skills necessary to fully engage in the mining value chain. Shinkafi emphasized that the training serves as an essential tool for unlocking economic independence, enhancing social empowerment, and improving community welfare. By providing women with vital training in gemstones and jewellery-making, the SMDF is not only addressing a lucrative market gap but also dismantling various barriers, granting women equal access to opportunities within the mining sector.
Gemstones are among Nigeria’s most valuable yet underutilized natural resources. Shinkafi noted that the training initiative plants the seeds of creativity and entrepreneurship, ultimately delivering long-term benefits not just to the participants but also to their families and communities. The SMDF’s commitment to sustained knowledge-sharing is evident in its goal to train approximately 1,000 young women, starting with an initial cohort of 100. This approach aims to cultivate an ecosystem that fosters business development and innovation within the burgeoning jewellery industry.
In addition to Shinkafi’s remarks, Dr. Janet Adeyemi, President of Women in Mining Engineering, shared her insights about women’s inclusion in the mining sector. She reflected on her past experiences in the House of Representatives advocating for a shift from oil dependency to a strong focus on mining. Adeyemi recounted her successful efforts in garnering support from then-President Olusegun Obasanjo to revitalize the sector, emphasizing the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s economic portfolio. She reiterated that the training program aims to empower women to excel in mining and gemstone transformation, thus contributing significantly to their economic upliftment.
Moreover, Folakemi Akinleye, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the Philippines and Cambodia, pointed out the potential benefits of the training initiative for rural women and the broader mining landscape. Akinleye commended the high level of engagement of Filipino women in the mining sector, which has played a significant role in their nation’s economic progress. She highlighted the prevailing challenges such as skills deficiency and lack of funding that hinder women from maximizing their contributions within the industry. Akinleye emphasized the need for similar initiatives in Nigeria, recognizing the potential for investment and economic advancement through women’s participation in mining.
Lastly, mineral deposits expert Dr. Tersoo Aga discussed Nigeria’s abundant gemstone resources, indicating that the nation is blessed with over 500 gemstone deposits spanning a vast area. He drew attention to the largest topaz deposits and the extraordinary value of Nigerian sapphires, which can reach prices up to one million naira per gram. Moreover, he mentioned the existence of rare tourmaline species, uniquely found in Nigeria and Brazil, which can surpass diamond prices in the market. This wealth of mineral resources underlines the necessity for initiatives like those of the SMDF to equip women with the skills and knowledge required to explore and amplify the economic potential within the gemstone industry, ultimately fostering economic growth and independence for women across Nigeria.
