The Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists (NSEG) has elected the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, into its Class of Honorary Fellows in recognition of her contributions to the advancement of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and support for the geoscience profession.
According to the NSEG, the honour recognises Shinkafi’s contributions to mining development and her support for the geoscience profession, which plays a critical role in mineral discovery, resource assessment and sustainable mining.
Shinkafi received the Honorary Fellowship Award on Monday, October 19, 2026, during the opening ceremony of the society’s 5th Annual International Conference at Raffles Suites Hotel, Rabah Road, Kaduna.
The award followed a decision of the NSEG Council at its 80th meeting held on September 26, 2026.
According to a statement by Idowu Jokpeyibo, Head, Corporate Communications Department, SMDF, on Monday, the recognition highlights the importance of collaboration between institutions that finance mineral exploration and geoscience professionals whose technical expertise underpins the discovery and development of mineral resources.
It noted that under Shinkafi’s leadership, the SMDF has continued to pursue initiatives aimed at addressing financing gaps in Nigeria’s mining sector, particularly in early-stage exploration, research and development, and investment mobilisation.
It pointed out that a flagship intervention is the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE), an SMDF-funded programme designed to support early-stage mineral exploration, critical mineral development, and research and development.
The programme seeks to address a major constraint in the mining industry by providing catalytic funding for exploration and research projects that may struggle to attract conventional private-sector investment at their initial stages.
Through EMERGE, the Fund aims to improve the prospects of mineral discovery, strengthen local value addition and help promising projects advance towards investment readiness.
The SMDF maintains that stronger geoscience capacity is essential to reducing exploration risks, improving geological knowledge and identifying economically viable mineral deposits.
The Fund has consequently emphasised collaboration 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.
Shinkafi’s elevation to the NSEG’s Class of Honorary Fellows underscores the importance of institutional partnerships in advancing scientific knowledge, mobilising investment and promoting the sustainable development of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
