DOWNTREND OF CERAMICS PRACTICE IN NIGERIA AND EFFORTS AT ITS RESUSCITATION

Abstract

The ceramic industry in contemporary terms has undergone strategic transformations thereby
making it a prospective catalyst for the potential growth and development of the Nation’s
economy. The basic rudiments of ceramics development, which are raw material research,
identification, characterization, exploitation, and formulation of bodies and glazes, are necessary
for contemporary ceramics practice. Nigeria has some deposits of solid mineral resources that
could hasten the growth of ceramics activities largely but there are constraints in the attainment of
the set goals. Technical and managerial knowledge to adopt, replicate and simplify imported
processing technology by the functioning ceramic industries seems to have no end in sight. The
market potentials of ceramic products such as tableware, electrical insulators, refractories, and tiles
(wall and floor) are very promising. The upgrading of the existing ceramic plants in order to
achieve cost-effectiveness and competitiveness in terms of quality and reliability is a much-needed
factor. Therefore, the gap in refractories and advanced ceramic production can be harmonised.
Concerted efforts should also be geared towards the revamping of ailing ceramic industries by
provision of funds and material processing technologies within their reach to ensure the much-
anticipated growth.