Nigeria, March 7 -- Fatima Shinkafi has been named among 100 influential African women recognised in the '2026 Africa Women of Impact Awards' organised by ARISE News.

Mrs Shinkafi, the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI), was listed alongside 99 other prominent African women honoured for their contributions across various sectors.

She was first appointed to the position by former President Muhammadu Buhari and was reappointed in 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.

Mrs Shinkafi is widely regarded as one of the key drivers of reforms in Nigeria's solid minerals sector through her leadership at the SMDF.

The recognition, which is in commemoration of the Internat...