The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has urged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to support a world-class Gemology Laboratory and Jewellery Making Centre.

The appeal was made on Thursday during a working visit by the TETFund National Research Fair and Exhibition Committee to the chamber.

The ACCI First Deputy President, Adesoji Adesugba, said the project would deepen collaboration between academia and industry and promote research-driven enterprises.

He explained the facility would enhance skills development, encourage innovation and create employment opportunities across Nigeria’s gemstones and jewellery value chain.

Mr Adesugba said the proposed centre would anchor the university’s gemology curriculum and provide practical training for students and industry practitioners.

“It will provide hands-on training, support certification and testing, and position Nigeria to add value to its gemstones rather than exporting them raw,” he said.

He added that ACCI was prepared to partner TETFund through the organised private sector under the leadership of NACCIMA.

According to him, ACCI operates through four centres covering trade and investment, policy advocacy, business development, skills training and international trade.

He highlighted ACCI’s partnership with the Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, particularly in developing a gemology and jewellery-making curriculum.

He noted that the collaboration facilitated the establishment of the university’s Department of Geology and Gemology.

He added that about 150 students were currently enrolled in the programme, reflecting growing interest in the specialised field.

“The ACCI also collaborates with the university on entrepreneurship training, agricultural innovation, digital initiatives and undergraduate research focused on industry needs,” he said.

Mr Adesugba urged the committee to support TETFund funding for the proposed facility to strengthen academia-industry collaboration.

He said the investment would also contribute significantly to the growth and value addition potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

The ACCI official commended TETFund Executive Secretary Sunday Echono for involving the organised private sector in commercialising research outputs.

He said the approach would help transform academic research into marketable products, businesses and sustainable economic opportunities.

Chairman of the committee, Umar Bindir, said the partnership aimed to connect Nigeria’s knowledge and industrial systems.

Mr Bindir said the initiative would enable local expertise and technology to drive development across critical sectors of the economy.

“It will promote local production, including roads designed and maintained by Nigerians, while creating jobs and wealth through indigenous knowledge,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria had more than 300 universities, over 600 technology-based institutions and numerous research centres.

According to him, the institutions possess the capacity to generate knowledge required to accelerate national development.

Also speaking, Head of Gemology at the university, Ameen Abdullahi, said the partnership would bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Mr Abdullahi said the collaboration would provide academics with tools needed to convert theoretical knowledge into practical and commercially viable solutions.

He added that the partnership with ACCI would support the establishment of a gemology and jewellery hub for practical student training.

“Our gemology curriculum has received international recognition, and the proposed laboratory will enable students to apply classroom knowledge in industry settings,” he said. 

(NAN)