Stakeholders seek domestic investment to curb $2.1bn ceramic import

By Yinka Kolawole

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s ceramic industry have called for increased investment, innovation, stronger policy support and deeper collaboration to transform the sector into a major driver of industrialisation, job creation and economic diversification.

The call was made at the Nigeria Ceramic Investment Summit and Product Exhibition 2026 (NCISPE 2026), which brought together industry leaders, investors, researchers, entrepreneurs and development partners to explore opportunities for accelerating growth across the ceramic value chain.

Speaking at the summit, Convener of NCISPE 2026 and Professor of Ceramic Engineering, Engr. Eguakhide Patrick Oaikhinan, said Nigeria possesses enormous untapped potential in the ceramic industry but requires deliberate actions to unlock its economic value.

He disclosed that Nigeria is projected to import ceramics worth about $2.1 billion in 2026, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen local production capacity and reduce dependence on imports.

According to him, strategic investments, supportive government policies, innovation and sustained collaboration are critical to building a globally competitive ceramic industry capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.

He stated: “The opportunities before us are enormous, and the responsibility to seize them belongs to all of us. The transformation of Nigeria’s ceramic industry cannot be achieved by any single stakeholder. It requires the collective efforts of government, industry, academia, financial institutions, development partners, investors, technology providers, entrepreneurs and civil society.”

He expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders would accelerate the development of the ceramic industry and position it as a key contributor to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.

However, Oaikhinan expressed disappointment over the absence of some key government institutions at the summit, stressing the need for greater engagement among agencies responsible for mineral resource development, industrial policy, research and development, export promotion and local manufacturing.

He stated: “It is important to place on record our disappointment that despite the strategic importance of this sector to Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council were unable to participate in this landmark gathering.

“Their absence is particularly regrettable given the critical role these institutions play in mineral resource development, industrial policy, export promotion, research and development, value addition and the advancement of local manufacturing.”