The Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, on Monday, elected into the Class of Honorary Fellows of the Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists (NSEG).

Shinkafi also received the Society’s Honorary Fellowship Award in recognition of her support for the organisation and commitment to advancing the geoscience profession and Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

In a statement by the Head of the Corporate Communications Department of SMDF, Idowu Jokpeyibo, the recognition underscored the importance of collaboration between institutions financing the mining sector and geoscience professionals whose expertise supports mineral discovery, resource assessment and sustainable development.

The award was presented at the opening ceremony of the NSEG’s 5th Annual International Conference in Kaduna.

Her election followed a decision by the Society’s Council at its 80th meeting held on September 26, 2026.

Under Hajiya Shinkafi’s leadership, SMDF continues to advance its mandate of unlocking financing for Nigeria’s mining sector, with a focus on mineral exploration, research, investment mobilisation and the sustainable development of the country’s mineral resources.

Jokpeyibo said: “A key intervention is the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE), an SMDF-funded programme designed to provide catalytic funding for early-stage mineral exploration, critical minerals development and research and development.

“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.”

The statement noted that stronger geoscience capacity was essential to reducing exploration risks, improving geological knowledge and identifying economically viable mineral deposits.

It added that the SMDF remained committed to collaborating 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.

Hajiya Shinkafi’s recognition by NSEG underscores the value of professional collaboration in advancing mineral exploration and the sustainable development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.