By Martha Agas
The Executive Secretary, Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, has received an honorary fellowship award from the Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists (NSEG) for her contributions to geosciences and Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, SMDF’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs Idowu Jokpeyibo, said the award was presented at the opening ceremony of NSEG’s 5th Annual International Conference in Kaduna.
Jokpeyibo said Shinkafi was elected into the Class of Honorary Fellows, following a decision by the Society’s Council at its 80th meeting held on Sept. 26, 2026.
The recognition, she said, underscored the value of professional collaboration in advancing mineral exploration and the sustainable development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
“The recognition highlights the importance of collaboration between institutions that finance the mining sector and geoscience professionals whose expertise supports mineral discovery, resource assessment and sustainable development,” she said.
She said that under Shinkafi’s leadership, SMDF had continued to facilitate financing for Nigeria’s mining sector, focusing on mineral exploration, research, investment mobilisation and the sustainable development of the country’s mineral resources.
A key intervention, she said, was the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE), an SMDF-funded programme designed to provide funding for early-stage mineral exploration, critical minerals development, research and development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, unveiled the EMERGE Programme on June 10 to fund mineral exploration and research through competitive grants.
She said the programme addressed financing gaps by supporting exploration and research projects at stages when they may not yet attract conventional private investment.
“EMERGE addresses a critical financing gap in the mining sector by supporting exploration and research initiatives at stages when projects may not yet attract conventional private investment.
“The programme aims to unlock Nigeria’s mineral potential, promote local value addition and help promising projects progress towards investment readiness.
“SMDF recognises that stronger geoscience capacity is essential to reducing exploration risks, improving geological knowledge and identifying economically viable mineral deposits.
“The fund remains committed to working with professional bodies, research institutions, government agencies, exploration companies and development partners to strengthen Nigeria’s mineral exploration ecosystem and build a more competitive mining industry,” she said. (NAN)
Edited by Gabriel Yough
Comments