Nigeria is set to attract multi-billion naira investments into its ceramic industry as foreign manufacturers and investors intensify interest in the sector ahead of the maiden Nigeria Ceramic Investment Summit and Production Exhibition (NCISPE) 2026 scheduled to hold in Lagos.
The Chief Convener and Summit Director, Prof. Patrick Oaikhinan, disclosed this in an interview with the Commrce and Industry Correpondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN), saying the summit would serve as a platform to reposition Nigeria as a major player in the global ceramic industry.
The two-day summit, themed, “Where investment, industry, policy, and talent converge for measurable returns,” is scheduled to take place at NECA House, Lagos, from June 23 to 24, 2026.
According to Oaikhinan, Nigeria possesses some of the world’s highest-quality ceramic mineral deposits, but the sector remains largely untapped despite its huge economic potential.
He revealed that several international ceramic manufacturers and stakeholders have already indicated interest in participating in the summit, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, research institutes, universities, and leading global ceramic companies.
“I have contacted manufacturers in Italy, and I know they are coming,” he said.
He listed expected participants to include Systems Ceramics, the Association of Ceramics Equipment and Machinery Manufacturers of Italy, as well as manufacturers from Portugal, Spain, Turkey, India, China, and Ghana.
Oaikhinan explained that the summit would provide an avenue for international stakeholders to support Nigeria in developing a practical roadmap for revitalising the nation’s ceramic industry.
Lagos Summit Set to Drive Multi-Billion Naira Investments in Nigeria’s Ceramic Industry He noted that many Nigerians still associate ceramics mainly with fine art products such as flower vases and sculptures, whereas industrial ceramics have wider applications across construction, biomedical science, automobiles, aerospace, electronics, and power distribution sectors.
According to him, exposure to global best practices and modern production technologies would enable local manufacturers to improve product quality and competitiveness.
“My goal is to bring manufacturers to exhibit their products so Nigerians can see what quality ceramics truly look like and learn modern production techniques,” he said.
He added that the summit would also focus on workforce development and institutional collaboration, stressing that partnerships with universities and technical institutions are critical to building the skilled manpower required for industrial growth.
The summit director further disclosed that three university vice-chancellors have confirmed participation and are expected to present papers on manpower development and skills training for the ceramic sector.
Reflecting on the industry’s history, Oaikhinan recalled that Nigeria’s first ceramic industry was established in Okigwe in 1951, but many ceramic companies became moribund in the 1980s due to inadequate skilled manpower.
“You cannot build a ceramic industry without trained manpower,” he said. “Industrial growth cannot happen without the right skill sets, and that is why workforce development remains a major focus of this summit.”
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