By Yunus Olawale
Against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, persistent inflationary pressures, shifting global trade alliances and growing concerns over the long-term stability of traditional reserve currencies, Dukia Gold & Precious Metals Refining Company Limited has called on investors to reposition their portfolios by embracing physical gold as a strategic asset capable of preserving wealth in an increasingly uncertain global financial environment.
This message formed the cornerstone of the company’s July 2026 Wealth Management Seminar, held virtually under the theme, “Gold as a Safe Haven in an Unstable Financial System,” where industry experts, financial professionals, investors and market participants examined the structural transformation currently taking place in the global monetary system and its implications for wealth preservation.
Far from presenting gold merely as a commodity whose value fluctuates with market cycles, the seminar positioned the precious metal as an enduring financial asset capable of protecting investors against economic shocks, currency depreciation, sovereign debt risks and geopolitical instability.
Delivering the welcome address, Bosede Owolabi, Managing Director of Dukia Gold, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to investor education through regular wealth management engagements designed to equip investors with the knowledge required to make sound financial decisions in an increasingly volatile global economy.
The presentation introduced participants to what financial analysts increasingly describe as the Global Monetary Reset—a gradual restructuring of the international financial architecture rather than a single coordinated programme by international institutions.
According to the presentation, this transformation is being driven by central banks increasing their gold reserves, countries reducing dependence on the United States dollar, greater adoption of local currencies in international trade, expansion of alternative payment and settlement systems, increasing demand for tangible strategic assets and the gradual emergence of a multipolar reserve system.
Speakers explained that unlike government bonds, corporate securities or bank deposits, which all depend on another institution fulfilling its obligations, physical gold remains valuable independent of any government’s fiscal position or any financial institution’s solvency.
For this reason, they argued that gold should be viewed as financial insurance rather than a speculative investment, noting that prudent investors acquire gold not because they expect an immediate financial crisis but because it provides protection against potentially severe economic disruptions.
The seminar further explained that gold continues to attract global investors because of its limited supply and sustained worldwide demand. Annual mine production contributes only about two to three per cent to the world’s above-ground gold stock, making the precious metal relatively scarce.
At the same time, consumer demand remains exceptionally strong, particularly in Asia. Data presented during the seminar showed that during the first half of 2026, combined purchases by consumers in China and India represented approximately 37.7 per cent of global mine production.
China’s bar-and-coin demand reached an unprecedented 314 tonnes during the first half of the year, while India’s investment demand stood at 113 tonnes, representing its strongest first-half performance since 2013.
Presenters observed that periods characterised by inflation, sovereign debt concerns, geopolitical conflicts, currency depreciation and weakening confidence in financial institutions have historically strengthened demand for gold, reinforcing its status as a dependable store of value during times of uncertainty.
Another major focus of the seminar was the sustained appetite for gold among central banks. Drawing on figures presented from the World Gold Council, the seminar noted that total global gold demand exceeded 5,000 tonnes in 2025, while central banks purchased approximately 863 tonnes.
During the first quarter of 2026 alone, official sector purchases were estimated at about 244 tonnes, with Poland, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Singapore among countries expanding their reserves.
Participants were also taken through the changing dynamics of the international gold market, particularly the increasing influence of Asia. While London continues to serve as the world’s principal spot gold trading centre and New York remains dominant in futures trading, speakers noted that Asia is assuming greater influence over physical demand, bullion settlement and price discovery.
China alone accounted for approximately 44 per cent of global bar-and-coin demand during the first quarter of 2026, while the People’s Bank of China reportedly increased its gold reserves to about 2,346 tonnes during the first half of the year.
The presentation argued that these developments reflect China’s long-term strategy of strengthening ownership of tangible reserve assets while reducing dependence on speculative financial instruments.
The seminar also highlighted changing global reserve management patterns. Although foreign investors continue to hold substantial volumes of United States Treasury securities, the presentation pointed to declining holdings by major reserve managers such as China and Japan as evidence of increasing diversification into alternative reserve assets, including gold.
Participants were guided through the distinctions between physical gold, paper gold and gold-backed digital tokens. Physical bullion was presented as offering direct ownership without counterparty risk, while paper gold products—including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), futures contracts and other derivatives—provide convenience and liquidity but expose investors to leverage, redemption and issuer risks.
The seminar also explored the emergence of gold-backed digital tokens, including PAX Gold and Tether Gold (XAU₮), as innovations that combine blockchain technology with ownership of professionally vaulted physical bullion.
Despite advocating increased portfolio exposure to gold, Dukia Gold cautioned investors against emotional or speculative investment decisions. Participants were encouraged to define clear investment objectives, avoid excessive leverage, maintain adequate liquidity, understand legal ownership structures and seek professional financial, legal and tax advice before making significant investment decisions.
The seminar also showcased Dukia Gold’s operations as one of West Africa’s integrated bullion merchants. Incorporated in 2019 and formally launched by former Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the company operates across the precious metals value chain, including sourcing, refining, bullion trading and secure storage.
It reaffirmed its commitment to internationally recognised standards established by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), the World Gold Council (WGC) and the OECD Due Diligence Framework, while maintaining compliance with Nigeria’s regulatory framework.
As part of its drive to expand access to bullion investment, Dukia Gold also presented its digital trading platform, which enables investors to purchase certified investment-grade gold, access insured vault storage, monitor their holdings in real time and adopt recurring investment strategies through dollar-cost averaging.
As discussions concluded, the seminar reinforced the view that gold is steadily reclaiming its position as one of the world’s most trusted stores of value amid profound changes in the global financial system. With central banks continuing to expand their bullion reserves,
Asian markets exerting greater influence over global demand and investors seeking protection against inflation and geopolitical uncertainty, the message delivered throughout the virtual seminar was clear: gold is increasingly being regarded not simply as a commodity, but as a strategic financial asset capable of strengthening long-term portfolio resilience in an evolving global economy.
