Nigeria’s vast ceramic mineral deposits can transform economy — Prof. Oaikhinan

Stanley Ihedigbo

Nigeria’s vast deposits of high-quality ceramic minerals have the capacity to transform the nation’s economy through industrialisation, job creation, export growth, and foreign investment if properly harnessed, the Chief Convener of the Nigeria Ceramic Investment Summit and Production Exhibition (NCISPE) 2026, Prof. Patrick Oaikhinan, has said.

Ahead of the summit scheduled to hold at NECA House, Lagos, from June 23 to 24, 2026, the Chief Convener and Summit Director, Prof. Patrick Oaikhinan, has disclosed that foreign ceramic manufacturers and investors are increasingly looking toward Nigeria as a strategic destination for industrial ceramic production and investment.

Speaking in an interview with the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN), the internationally recognised ceramic engineer and academic said the summit would provide the much-needed platform to reposition Nigeria as a competitive player in the global ceramic market.

The event, themed “Where investment, industry, policy, and talent converge for measurable returns,” is expected to attract policymakers, investors, researchers, manufacturers, universities, and international industry leaders from across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

CICAN is serving as the official media partner for the maiden edition of the summit.

According to Prof. Oaikhinan, Nigeria possesses some of the world’s finest ceramic mineral deposits, but the sector has remained largely untapped and underdeveloped despite its enormous economic and industrial potential.

He revealed that several prominent international ceramic equipment manufacturers and industry associations have already indicated interest in participating in the summit.

“I have contacted manufacturers in Italy, and I know they are coming,” he said.
“For example, Systems Ceramics, the Association of Ceramics Equipment and Machinery Manufacturers of Italy, and several other ceramic manufacturing companies. We have also reached out to Portugal, Spain, Turkey, India, China, and Ghana.”

He explained that the summit would serve as a strategic meeting point for investors, government agencies, manufacturers, researchers, and educational institutions to develop practical solutions for reviving Nigeria’s struggling ceramic industry.

According to him, one of the biggest misconceptions about ceramics in Nigeria is the narrow perception that the industry is limited to decorative arts and pottery.

“Many people in Nigeria still see ceramics as merely Fine Art, flower vases and sculptures,” he said.

“But I am talking about industrial ceramics used in construction, biomedical science, automobiles, aerospace, electronics, and power distribution. These are the areas we should focus on.”

Industry observers believe the summit could open fresh opportunities for industrial diversification, local manufacturing, job creation, export growth, and technology transfer, especially as Nigeria seeks alternatives to oil dependency.

Prof. Oaikhinan noted that exposing local manufacturers to global best practices, modern machinery, and advanced production techniques would significantly improve product quality and international competitiveness.

“My goal is to bring manufacturers to exhibit their products so Nigerians can see what quality ceramics truly look like and learn modern production techniques,” he explained.

“We are also engaging institutions to help build the required workforce and collaborate with Nigerian universities.”
The summit director further disclosed that three university vice-chancellors have already confirmed participation and are expected to present papers focusing on manpower development, technical education, and industrial skill acquisition for the ceramic sector.

He stressed that the collapse of many ceramic industries in Nigeria during the 1980s was largely linked to the absence of trained manpower and technical expertise needed to sustain industrial production.

“The first ceramic industry in Nigeria was established in Okigwe in 1951, but by the 1980s many had become moribund because there was no skilled workforce to sustain them,” he noted.

“You cannot build a ceramic industry without trained manpower. Just as you cannot own a car without a driver, industrial growth cannot happen without the right skill sets. That is why workforce development remains a major focus of this summit.”

Stakeholders say the summit is expected to stimulate policy discussions on industrialisation, encourage foreign direct investment, and strengthen collaborations between academia and industry players.

With growing international participation and renewed interest in local manufacturing, expectations are high that NCISPE 2026 could mark the beginning of a new era for Nigeria’s ceramic industry and wider industrial economy.