SMDF delivers LBMA-Standard gold to CBN, boosting Nigeria’s Gold Reserves to $3.5b
*Yemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria(2nd left) and Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi, Executive Secretary, Solid Minerals Development Fund(2nd right) and officials of the agency at the presentation ceremony The Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, has announced the successful delivery of additional responsibly sourced gold, refined to London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery...
NIPR lauds SMDF Executive Secretary’s transformative leadership
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has commended the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Fatima Shinkafi, for what it called her visionary leadership, creativity, and innovative efforts in advancing Nigeria’s economic growth. According to a statement by SMDF’s Head of Corporate Communications, Idowu Jokpeyibo, the commendation was delivered by an NIPR delegation which visited the...
Children among 200 killed in DR Congo’s coltan mine collapse
More than 200 people have been killed, including dozens of children, in a major landslide at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), officials reported on Wednesday. The disaster struck the Kasasa mining area in the Masisi territory of North Kivu province on Tuesday, following torrential rains. Around 70 children were among the...
CBN Raises Gold Reserves To $3.5bn
*Photo R-L: Yemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi, Executive Secretary, Solid Minerals Development Fund* The Central Bank of Nigeria has received domestically sourced gold refined to international standards into the country’s foreign reserves, raising its total gold holdings to about $3.5bn. The apex bank disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, 4th March, 2026,noting that the...
Ondo declares war on illegal mining, promises development of gold deposits
*Gov Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State The Ondo State Government has announced an intensified crackdown on illegal mining activities, warning that violators will face stiff sanctions.The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Johnson Alabi sounded this warning during an on-the-spot inspection of suspected illegal mining locations in the Ose local government area of the state.The exercise, carried out in...
NCDMB, Radisson, Edison Sign Management Deal for Yenagoa Hotel
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Monday signed an international management agreement (IMA) with Radisson Hospitality Belgium, and Edison Hotel and Property Development Company, in respect of the Board’s 204 rooms hotel and conference center, developed adjacent the Nigerian Content Tower, Swali, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Obinna Ezeobi, PhD, NCDMBGM Corporate Communications Division, stated this on Tuesday in...
NESREA shuts down quarry following death of 10-year-old boy
On Friday, 27th February, 2026, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) received information on the death of a 10 year old boy during blasting operation by Dai Jin Jia Quarry in ACO Village, Airport Road, Abuja. Addressing the media on the incident, the Director Environmental Quality Control of the Agency, Mr. Elijah Udofia, who spoke on behalf...
Customs intercepts ₦116m worth precious metals at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted suspected smuggled precious metals valued at ₦116.28 million at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while also strengthening operational collaboration with key national institutions to enhance security, trade facilitation, and economic stability. The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Usman Adamu, formally handed over 22.80 kilogrammes of...
FG, AFC sign landmark $1.3b Alumina deal
(L-R) Seated: Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi and Mr Franklin EdochieStanding: Mr Samaila Zubairu, Dr Dele Alake and Engr Farouk YaboAfrica Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Federal Government through the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) have signed an investment agreement to jointly fund three projects: a $1.3 billion alumina project, a comprehensive geoscience mapping exercise, and an investment vehicle...
We arrested 2,677 suspects, including illegal miners in five years- NSCDC boss
*Photo: Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Ahmed Abubakar Audi* The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has disclosed that the Corps arrested over 2,677 suspects for various offences including vandalism, illegal mining, kidnapping, and other acts of economic sabotage within the last five years. The Commandant General made...
