Experts: Nigeria’s ceramic goldmine lies idle, could generate $2.1bn in exports

Experts: Nigeria’s ceramic goldmine lies idle, could generate $2.1bn in exports

Nigeria is rich in rare earth minerals, particularly those suitable for ceramic production, such as kaolin, feldspar, quartz, silica sand, and ball clay, found in states like Kogi, Ekiti, Ogun, Plateau, Kaduna, and Cross River. Experts say these resources could transform the country’s industrial sector if properly harnessed, reducing import dependence, creating jobs, conserving foreign exchange, and boosting non-oil export earnings. Estimates suggest Nigeria could earn up to $2.1 billion annually from ceramic exports if structural challenges are addressed.

Rising urbanisation, a growing population, and increasing demand for housing and infrastructure are driving domestic demand for ceramic products, including tiles, sanitary wares, tableware, and electrical insulators. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) highlight the country’s mineral endowment and stress the importance of improving local beneficiation, standardisation, and manufacturing capabilities. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) also presents opportunities for regional exports, particularly within West Africa.

However, the sector faces major constraints: high energy costs due to unreliable electricity, poor road infrastructure and logistics, intense competition from cheap or substandard imports, limited access to finance, outdated machinery, skills shortages, and inconsistent government policies. Currently, Nigeria spends over $300 million annually on ceramic imports, while exports amount to just about $14 million, mainly from re-exports rather than domestic production.

Industry experts, including ceramic engineer Prof. Eguakhide Oaikhinan, argue that sustained investment in education, capacity building, and rural industrial clusters could not only save Nigeria over $300 million annually but also drive industrialisation, generate jobs, and reduce rural–urban migration. The country’s ceramic output is extremely low compared to global leaders: China produces 7.9 billion square metres of tiles annually, whereas Nigeria produces less than 40 million square metres, with Egypt leading Africa in ceramic production.

Overall, the article positions ceramics as a high-potential sector that could significantly contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth and export diversification if structural, infrastructural, and policy gaps are addressed.