The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, has been named among the 100 Women of Impact in Africa by Arise News.

The recognition was announced as part of activities marking International Women’s Day, which this year carried the theme: “For All Women: Rights. Justice. Action.”

Celebrating the honour, Shinkafi dedicated the award to women making contributions across various sectors—especially those whose efforts often go unnoticed.

“To every woman giving quietly, behind the scenes, without applause—don’t stop. Your efforts are making a difference even when no one is counting,” she said.

She also encouraged women in positions of opportunity to pursue excellence without hesitation.

“To every woman who has been given an opportunity—outperform. With excellence. Without apology,” she added.

Shinkafi’s recognition comes amid growing acknowledgement of her role in repositioning the SMDF as a strategic investment vehicle for Nigeria’s mining sector.

When she assumed leadership of the fund, the SMDF was largely unfunded. Under her stewardship, it has evolved into a capitalised development finance institution capable of attracting major investment partnerships aimed at accelerating growth in Nigeria’s solid minerals industry.

Among the key milestones achieved during her tenure is a project development funding partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), designed to fast-track commercial-scale mining operations across the country.

The SMDF has also entered into an investment partnership with the AFC to develop a $1.3 billion alumina refinery project expected to produce approximately one million tonnes of alumina annually—a strategic step toward strengthening value addition in Nigeria’s mineral value chain.

Another major initiative under Shinkafi’s leadership is the National Gold Purchase Programme (NGPP), which has helped boost Nigeria’s foreign reserves by an estimated $3.5 billion through locally sourced gold refined to London Bullion Market Association standards.

In commemoration of IWD 2025, Arise TV named the SMDF boss among its honourees for the Women of Impact award.

Industry observers say these initiatives reflect a deliberate push to reposition Nigeria’s mining sector as a significant contributor to economic diversification.

Her inclusion in the Arise News list highlights the growing influence of women leaders shaping policy, investment, and industrial transformation across Africa.

Reacting to the honour, the SMDF described it as a moment when “work done in the background is now standing in the light,” noting that Shinkafi’s leadership reflects a model of consistent, strategic, and impact-driven public sector management.