The jewellery exhibition was an expertly-curated showcase of exceptional ornaments, ranging from contemporary designs to vintage treasures such as Makems handmade jewellery, earrings, long necklaces, jewellery set, bangles and bracelets, rings and male bracelets, among others with special focus on promoting local contents, which aligns with Federal Government’s policy direction on promotion of local contents in all sectors of the economy.

The annual Makems 2024 Jewellery Exhibition, which took place on December 7, 2024 at the Glowing Ages Academy, Games Village Road, Kaura District, Abuja attracted fashion lovers and potential clients, who used the opportunity to purchase trendy jewellery of their choice which meet their status as the Yuletide season begins while networking with other visitors.

Addressing stakeholders and visitors at the event, the Director of Business Development at Makems, Miss Temitope Adejare, said Makems Jewellery makes unique jewellery products locally and also sell imported jewellery products as well.

“Considering what has been happening in the economy in the area of dollar exchange to Naira, you will realise that things that are imported have become so expensive because they are in dollar. So, what we have done at Makems Jewellery is to ensure that we source for local jewellery materials and we have a lot of them that are locally-made in Nigeria on display at this exhibition.

“Makems Jewellery has a passion for making jewellery and we now make do with what we can really do in Nigeria and we have been able to come out with beautiful jewellery pieces that people really love at this exhibition,” Adejare said.

She explained that “what we do is unique to an individual. We do not repeat the design. So, if you buy any Makems jewellery piece, it is the only one that exists in terms of design. Overtime, people have come to know this and they love it also and they like coming for the exhibition.”

According to her, Makems works year round to gather the best of locally-manufactured jewellery products as well as some imported designs and bring people together at the exhibition to come and see the various designs that Makems has brought on display for the season for them to purchase their favourite designs.

“As you can see, we sell imported jewellery pieces as well but as you may have observed, most people would be at the Stand for Nigerian-handmade jewellery products because they are more unique, more durable and are very nice. This means, our locally-produced collection of jewellery appeals more to our clients.

“Why most people run from Nigerian-made products is literally because of the quality. Most of the time, people that do local contents tend to compromise quality standards but what we have done at Makems is to ensure that what we have is of high quality even better than many of the imported jewellery, as the designs are nice and unique and meet the expectation of Nigeria across social divides.

Speaking on affordability, the Business Development Director said because the products are domiciled in Naira, “you find out that it is easier for people to buy.”

She optimistically noted that Makems was targeting “exporting our locally-manufactured jewellery products in the long run, thereby helping Nigeria’s Naira-to-dollar exchange to appreciate through local production of the fashion products and exports.”

According to her, “With what we have done at Makems, we have a lot of staff that we have employed and this also means we are creating employment opportunity for Nigerians across the value chain. We are also available online across social media platforms for online purchase of our products.”

Adejare added that Makems’ plan is to become a household name as an indigenous jewellery-sourcing and production firm, thereby enhancing the government’s policy direction to deepen local content, improve value addition through offerings of durable, comfortable and affordable jewellery products in Nigeria in the next few years.

This affirmation follows remarks by Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan at the 2024 Zuma International Film Festival, which led to talks about the streaming giant’s exit from the region.

Afolayan disclosed that several film projects commissioned by Netflix had been cancelled, despite the success of earlier collaborations. He said, “Three years ago, signing a three-film deal with Netflix was a significant milestone. While these films performed remarkably well globally, it appears their returns in Nigeria did not meet expectations.” However, Afolayan did not directly state that Netflix was withdrawing from Nigeria.

Adding to the speculation, some observers pointed to Amazon Prime Video’s retreat from Nigeria in January 2024, after a high-profile launch and investment in local content. 

Even with these comparisons, Netflix has categorically denied any plans to leave the Nigerian market. In a statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the platform emphasised, “We are not exiting Nigeria. We remain committed to investing in Nigerian stories and delighting our audience.”

Netflix’s journey in Nigeria began in 2016 with the licensing of notable local productions. Over the years, it has invested over $23 million in the country’s film industry, supporting more than 250 projects, including licensed titles, co-productions, and original commissions. 

Commendable successes include Lionheart, The Wedding Party 2, and King of Boys. In 2020, Netflix expanded its footprint by signing multi-title deals with industry heavyweights such as Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Productions and Kunle Afolayan’s Golden Effects Pictures.

Nonetheless, Netflix faces challenges in Nigeria’s competitive streaming sector. With a monthly subscription cost of ₦7,000 ($4), the platform is perceived as a luxury service, especially in a country grappling with inflation and currency devaluation. 

Local competitors like Showmax, known for its affordability, dominate the market, leaving Netflix with a smaller share of subscribers.

The uncertainty surrounding Netflix’s long-term strategy in Nigeria is stressed by its cautious investment approach.

While it has spotlighted Nigerian stories on a global stage, its financial commitment to the country is less in comparison to South Africa, which received 71% of Netflix’s $175 million investment in Africa between 2016 and 2023.

Reports predict that Netflix may need to reassess its pricing model and investment strategy to remain competitive.

The platform’s ongoing challenges are similar to those faced by Amazon Prime Video, which scaled back its operations in Africa due to low profitability.

Netflix’s denial of an exit reassures Nigerian audiences and creatives, but the market dynamics demand a better approach to strengthen its place in the country. 

Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, the chairman, Senate Committee on NASENI who led other members of the Committee on oversight function visit to NASENI Headquarters, Abuja on Monday February 26, 2024, expressed satisfaction, while being conducted by Mr. Khalil Halilu, the executive vice chairman/CEO of NASENI, round some of the NASENI products and facilities.

Other products inspected include animal feed processing machines and NASENI transformers, electric motorcycles and tricycles as well as the NASENI home and irrigation solar systems.

According to Senator Onyewuchi,

“The committee is quite pleased with the level of progress and we want to assure NASENI of the support of the National Assembly to make sure that agency drives effectively the vision of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in this area and I want to also thank them for making Nigeria go green, moving from fuel to non-fossil products, it is quite commendable. We are quite pleased and we want to encourage them to do more.”

According to the committee members who spoke separately, with the NASENI home solar and the electric bikes, local businesses will be enhanced, the economy of the country will improve, adding that urban and rural areas power challenges would be overcome if NASENI solar system is mass produced.

Mr. Halilu, said some NASENI products would be ready in the second quarter of this year, adding that the Agency is establishing a Technology Transfer Hub within its headquarters to bring eco-friendly technologies closer to people and to make it affordable both on short and long term basis.

 “We promised Nigerians that by the first quarter of this year, they are going to be seeing NASENI products and today, you have witnessed three products-the solar irrigation system, which is like a generator, but completely solar and batteries and the second one is our electronic motorcycle and tricycle (Keke) and the last one being the solar home system where you can power your entire house off-grid,” Halilu said.

“You will soon start seeing NASENI branded products in our efforts to build a national brand for the country and of course, if you are doing commercial viable products, they have to be affordable to the common man and very soon, you will start seeing them in the market,” he added.

Other lawmakers who made the trip include Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Aminu Iya Abbas; Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on NASENI, Sen. Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo; Member, Senate Committee on NASENI, Sen. David  Jimkura; Chairman, Senate Committee on NASENI, Sen. Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi; Member, Senate Committee on NASENI, Sen. Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli; and Sen. Abdullaziz Musa Yar’Adua.