The Zamfara Professionals League has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for extending the tenure of Hajiya Fatimah Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF). The League described the decision as pivotal to solidifying the foundation of the emerging financial institution and sustaining its pioneering initiatives in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
In a statement signed by its President, Mr. Yunana Shibkau, and made available to journalists on Sunday, the League commended Shinkafi’s exemplary leadership, attributing her success to her professionalism and commitment. They emphasized her role as a shining example of Northern professionals advancing Nigeria’s financial and mineral development landscape.
Achievements Under Shinkafi’s Leadership
The League highlighted notable milestones achieved under Shinkafi’s leadership, including:
Strategic Partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC): This collaboration facilitated funding for early-stage mineral development projects. In its first year, the initiative attracted 94 applicants, with 14 advancing to the second stage.
Launch of the Gold Aggregator Scheme: This program added billions of Naira in gold reserves to the Central Bank of Nigeria, boosting national reserves.
Addressing Gaps in Mining: Through strategic interventions, SMDF has tackled challenges caused by the absence of junior miners, thereby fostering development in the sector.
Legal Backing for Extended Tenure
Responding to concerns about tenure limitations, the League clarified that the extension aligns with the provisions of the Nigerian Mining and Minerals Act.
“Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the Nigerian Mining and Minerals Act do not impose a tenure limit on the Executive Secretary of the SMDF. President Tinubu’s directive is both lawful and in the nation’s best interest,” the statement emphasized.
The Case for Continuity
The League cautioned against disrupting the progress of the SMDF by appointing a novice lacking the institutional memory necessary to sustain its growth.
“It would be detrimental to the fragile and pioneering status of the SMDF to entrust its leadership to someone without experience. This would risk derailing the current administration’s groundbreaking initiatives and hinder the development of a financial intervention agency ensuring significant returns on investment,” the statement read.
Call for Stakeholder Support
The League called on stakeholders in the solid minerals sector to support Shinkafi’s administration, urging them to rally behind her as she continues to deliver impactful projects that drive economic diversification and growth.
By extending her tenure, the League expressed confidence that the SMDF would remain a formidable platform for advancing Nigeria’s solid minerals industry and positioning the sector as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic transformation.
