No term limits for reapportionment of CEOs as Solid Minerals Ministry backs Tinubu’s reapportionment of Shinkafi 

Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Monday, backed the President Bola Tinubu’s reappointment of Fatima Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary, Solid Minerals Development Fund, SMDF, while reacting to some people opposing the reappointment. The Ministry in a statement signed by Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ekwugha Chinwe, said the President’s reappointment of Shinkafi is in “accordance with the provisions guiding the establishment of the agency”, and to clear the air he pointed out that “no part of the SMDF act specifies a term limit for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the agency.”
The statement read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to misinformation making the rounds in some quarters on the reappointment of Hajia Fatima Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary of SMDF, as approved by the President. The approval, done weeks ago, followed due process and aligns with the extant laws governing the agency, as well as the Nigeria Minerals And Mining Act (NMMA) 2007. Section 35(2) of the NMMA 2007 stipulates that the Executive Secretary shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
No provisions on tenure limit exist in the act governing the agency. The act does not stipulate term limit for the chief executive. Therefore, her reappointment by the president is in order and does not contravene any law.”
The Ministry further maintained that, “SMDF under her stewardship has been reorganized for capital mobilization, leading de-risking of investment tools for the mining sector and enabling targeted exploration to fast track mine development amongst others. Hence, her pivotal role in our efforts to reposition the mining sector is invaluable.” Meanwhile, the ministry assured mining stakeholders that, “It will continue to support the agency to expand access to lines of credit, lead the charge to strengthen partnerships that will unlock financing to drive economic growth, in line with the ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda of making solid minerals a significant contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.”