Nigerian entrepreneur and jewellery designer, Mrs. Bimbo Balogun, has called for greater investment in Nigeria’s creative industry, saying the country’s rich natural resources and artisanal talent can position African beadwork as a globally recognised luxury brand.
Speaking on Trade FM’s business programme, Balogun shared the inspiring story of how she transformed a hobby into a thriving jewellery business after putting her career in microfinance on hold to raise her children.
According to her, what began as a therapeutic pastime while waiting to return to the corporate world eventually became a successful enterprise.
“I decided to work with my hands while waiting for another opportunity. What started as therapy gradually became a business, and I’m grateful for how far the journey has come,” she said.
Balogun explained that her brand is built on blending traditional African heritage with contemporary fashion, creating jewellery pieces that are both timeless and relevant to modern trends.
She noted that every design is carefully crafted to preserve African culture while meeting the tastes of today’s customers.
Describing jewellery as more than an accessory, she said it tells Africa’s story, complements traditional attire such as Aso Oke, and gives life and identity to every outfit.
The entrepreneur revealed that she works with premium materials including coral beads, pearls, natural gemstones, shells, microfine silver and other carefully selected components to create luxury handmade pieces.
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Balogun recalled starting the business with just ₦400, before making her first sale worth ₦5,000, a moment that convinced her there was a viable business opportunity.
Despite her success, she identified design piracy as one of the industry’s biggest challenges, noting that original jewellery designs are frequently copied locally and internationally without permission.
She urged greater awareness of intellectual property rights and stronger support for creative entrepreneurs.
Balogun also called on government to recognise the fashion ecosystem as more than clothing, stressing that jewellery makers, leather artisans, textile producers and traditional craft designers all contribute significantly to Nigeria’s creative economy.
She advocated policies that support every segment of the industry through training, funding, market access and institutional recognition.
Sharing lessons from her entrepreneurial journey, Balogun said one of her biggest discoveries was the value of packaging.
According to her, quality presentation significantly increases the perceived value of handmade products and should never be overlooked by new entrepreneurs.
She also encouraged aspiring jewellery designers to remain patient, invest in learning their craft and avoid the temptation of chasing quick profits.
Speaking on digital transformation, Balogun said online platforms have become essential for business growth, adding that entrepreneurs who fail to embrace digital marketing risk being left behind.
However, she stressed that despite technological advances, jewellery making remains a largely manual craft that depends on creativity, precision and skilled craftsmanship.
Balogun further challenged Nigeria to develop local gemstone processing and manufacturing capacity instead of exporting raw materials only to import finished products at higher costs.
She argued that building local value chains would create jobs, strengthen indigenous businesses and position Nigeria as a major player in the global luxury jewellery market.
Looking ahead, the entrepreneur said her vision is to make her brand the first name associated with coral beads and gemstone jewellery while contributing to an industry where Nigerian jewellers can source high-quality materials locally rather than relying on imports.
She expressed confidence that with the right policies, investment and innovation, African beadwork can evolve from a traditional craft into a globally competitive luxury industry.
Redefining African Beadwork: Building a Global Luxury Brand Through Creativity, Craftsmanship, and Entrepreneurship – Mrs Bimbo Balogun
