Alake pledges support for Africa’s first Gemology and Gemstones Dept at UniAbuja

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has expressed firm support for the newly established Department of Gemology and Gemstones at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, the first of its kind in Africa.Dr Alake made the commitment during a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday with a delegation from the university, led by Professor Adesoji Adesugba. His remarks were conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori.

The Minister praised the department as a strategic development aligned with his vision to deepen capacity within Nigeria’s mining industry. He described it as a pivotal centre for cultivating talent across the gemstone and jewellery-making value chain, noting that the initiative would help to advance the sector by preparing a new generation of skilled professionals.Calling the launch of Africa’s first formal curriculum in Gemology a landmark achievement, Alake said: “The university’s initiative marks a commendable step forward.



By building a strong base of technical knowledge, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and innovation across the mining sector.”Professor Adesugba, who heads the new department, applauded the Minister’s reform efforts, which he said have significantly repositioned the industry for long-term development. He also called for the Ministry’s assistance in facilitating a formal academic affiliation between the department and the Gemological Institute of Nigeria.

In response, Alake assured the delegation of the Ministry’s full backing for the proposed collaboration. He urged other Nigerian universities to emulate Yakubu Gowon University by incorporating mining-specific disciplines into their curricula.“To truly strengthen local capacity, we must prioritise domestic training.

Your department represents a vital step in that direction, particularly in gemology and jewellery production. We are also moving towards establishing dedicated mining universities, and your insights will be critical to that process,” the Minister said.Professor Adesugba was joined on the courtesy visit by Professor Aminu Dankishiya, Dean of Science at Yakubu Gowon University; Dr Tinuke Temitope, Registrar of the Gemological Institute of Nigeria; and Dr Aminu Isyaku, Head of the Department of Geology and Mining, among others.

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