Women In Mining in collaboration with her concept partners, APATA Gems, AC&C Priceless Nigeria Limited and Energy & Mineral Resources Nigeria have organized its maiden edition of the Gold and Gemstones conference on Friday 4 November & an award dinner slated for Saturday 5 November 2022 in Lagos. The conference was geared toward creating awareness among potential investors, financial institutions and the government. The event was necessitated by the need to encourage the inclusivity of women in the mining industry in Nigeria.

Present at the Women In Mining in Nigeria Lagos Chapter Gold and Gemstones Conference and exhibition were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, The president and founder of Women In Mining in Nigeria, Hon. Engr. Janet Adeyemi FNMGS, FNSE, President, Miners of Association of Nigeria, Engr. Musa Mohammed, Odein Ajumogobia SAN, Seni Williams of Apata Gems, Laura Ani, Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, International Natural Resources Consultant Dr Garuba Dauda, Gems collector/geologist Engr. Niran Ajibade,  Founder, Kiki Lucas jewellery, Kiki Uduma, Partner, Aelex Law Firm, Barr. Olusina Siyasi, CEO Energy and Mineral Resources Limited, Abiola Ajayi, Head of Corporate Affairs Segilola Resources Operating Limited and many other passionate exhibitionists of gold and Gemstones. The speakers urged women to equip themselves with education and knowledge in the mining industry to help them create jobs and generate wealth.

The Keynote speaker, Olusina Siyasi of Aelex Chambers gave a comparative analysis of the Nigerian legal framework in promotion investment. Olusina urged that clear laws be made to guide the Mining Industry as he charged mining regulators to pay attention to the processes and land registration system as it affects mining. A Senior Research Fellow at, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Laura Ani highlighted the need for key policies and regulations to promote inclusion and the impact of new technologies in the Mining industry. Ani urged banks to expend more loans to encourage small-scale miners to help grow their capacity. Barr. Jumoke Fajemirokun, a partner at ENR Advisory spoke on the future of local government content regulation in Nigeria’s Mining Jurisdiction, stressing that women’s inclusion in the mining industry is low and all stakeholders must work together to ensure that the gender gap is addressed.

Kiki Uduma, Founder and CEO Kiki Lucas jewellery lamented how crucial drivers in the country’s economic growth are currently losing substantial potential income in the mining industry and the need to harness the opportunities in the mining industry.

The exhibitions had gold jewellery, gemstones like ruby, limestones, emeralds, bearly-ore, and rough topaz mined indigenously in Osun, Plateau and other states across Nigeria beautifully displayed. Beautiful ornaments of gold, crystals and other stones were made into beads to celebrate the rich Nigerian culture.

Elizabeth Akwerigbe
Women Radio 91.7
news@wfm917.com