*Photo: Engr (Dr) Janet Adeyemi ,Women In Mining Nigeria*
The 2nd Board of Trustees of Women In Mining Nigeria (WIMN)
has been inaugurated with an affirmation of commitment to continuity, sound governance, and the deliberate positioning of WIMN as a policy-relevant, impact-driven institution within Nigeria’s extractive sector and Africa’s mineral development agenda.
President of WIMN, Engr (Dr) Janet Adeyemi, gave the affirmation in her address during the inauguration held virtually on 29th December, 2025.
She enthused that “Since its official registration on 7 November 2006, Women in Mining Nigeria has grown into a nationally and continentally recognised platform advancing gender inclusion, professionalism, sustainability, and value addition across the mineral value chain.”
Engr (Dr) Adeyemi added that “Over the years, WIMIN has evolved beyond advocacy to become a constructive stakeholder in policy dialogue—engaging government, regulators, industry, and development partners on artisanal and small-scale mining formalisation, occupational health and safety, access to finance, skills development, gemstone beneficiation, and women’s economic empowerment.”
“This progress,” she stressed, “reflects the vision of our founders, the dedication of our members, and the support of partners and public institutions. It also underscores the importance of strong governance structures—particularly the Board of Trustees—in safeguarding credibility, institutional memory, and strategic direction.”
Speaking on Strategic Context and the Role of the Board, she said their
” stewardship comes at a defining moment for Nigeria’s mining sector, characterised by:
• The national drive to diversify the economy through solid minerals development
• The global energy transition and Africa’s strategic role in critical minerals
• Rising ESG expectations and the need for responsible, community-centred mining
• The urgent formalisation and professionalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining
• The imperative for local value addition in gold, gemstones, and downstream industries
• The need to institutionalise women’s participation across policy, operations, and leadership
She stressed that “Your role is to ensure that Women in Mining Nigeria remains aligned with national mining policies, the Africa Mining Vision, Agenda 2063, and global sustainability frameworks—while delivering tangible outcomes on the ground.”
Read the full add below:
INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, WOMEN IN MINING NIGERIA (WIMIN) AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE 2ND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Our Grand Patron,
His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Ojaja II,
Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi,
Distinguished Members of the Board of Trustees,
Esteemed past leaders and founding members,
Representatives of government and partner institutions,
Industry leaders and stakeholders,
Members of Women in Mining Nigeria,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with deep gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility that I stand before you today at the inauguration of the Second Board of Trustees of Women in Mining Nigeria.
This ceremony is both symbolic and strategic. It affirms our commitment to continuity, sound governance, and the deliberate positioning of Women in Mining Nigeria as a policy-relevant, impact-driven institution within Nigeria’s extractive sector and Africa’s mineral development agenda.
Institutional Journey and Policy Engagement
Since its official registration on 7 November 2006, Women in Mining Nigeria has grown into a nationally and continentally recognised platform advancing gender inclusion, professionalism, sustainability, and value addition across the mineral value chain.
Over the years, WIMIN has evolved beyond advocacy to become a constructive stakeholder in policy dialogue—engaging government, regulators, industry, and development partners on artisanal and small-scale mining formalisation, occupational health and safety, access to finance, skills development, gemstone beneficiation, and women’s economic empowerment.
This progress reflects the vision of our founders, the dedication of our members, and the support of partners and public institutions. It also underscores the importance of strong governance structures—particularly the Board of Trustees—in safeguarding credibility, institutional memory, and strategic direction.
Strategic Context and the Role of the Board
Distinguished Trustees, your stewardship comes at a defining moment for Nigeria’s mining sector, characterised by:
• The national drive to diversify the economy through solid minerals development
• The global energy transition and Africa’s strategic role in critical minerals
• Rising ESG expectations and the need for responsible, community-centred mining
• The urgent formalisation and professionalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining
• The imperative for local value addition in gold, gemstones, and downstream industries
• The need to institutionalise women’s participation across policy, operations, and leadership
Your role is to ensure that Women in Mining Nigeria remains aligned with national mining policies, the Africa Mining Vision, Agenda 2063, and global sustainability frameworks—while delivering tangible outcomes on the ground.
Our Specific Policy Asks
As we inaugurate this Second Board of Trustees, Women in Mining Nigeria respectfully places the following priority policy asks before government, regulators, industry partners, and development institutions:
1. Institutionalised Gender Inclusion in Mining Policy
We call for the deliberate mainstreaming of gender considerations within mining laws, regulations, and implementation frameworks—ensuring women’s participation across artisanal, small-scale, and large-scale mining, including access to licences, finance, and decision-making platforms.
2. Formalisation and Support for Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)
We advocate targeted programmes for women in ASM, including simplified licensing, technical training, health and safety standards, environmental management support, and access to markets—thereby improving productivity, compliance, and livelihoods.
3. Dedicated Financing and Incentives for Women-Led Mining Enterprises
We urge the creation of gender-responsive financing windows, credit guarantees, and fiscal incentives to support women-owned and women-led mining, processing, and value-addition enterprises, particularly in gold and gemstones.
4. Local Value Addition and Beneficiation Policy Implementation
We call for stronger enforcement and incentives around local beneficiation—supporting gemstone cutting, polishing, jewellery manufacturing, and downstream industries as pathways for job creation, skills transfer, and export diversification.
5. Capacity Development and Skills Pipeline for the Future of Mining
We advocate structured investment in skills development, certification, and professional pathways for women and young people—aligned with the needs of the energy transition, critical minerals, environmental management, and digital mining technologies.
6. Stronger ESG, Community Development, and Social Licence Frameworks
We encourage the integration of women-led organisations into ESG implementation, community development agreements, and monitoring frameworks—ensuring inclusive, transparent, and socially responsible mining outcomes.
These policy priorities are not requests in isolation; they are enablers of a more resilient, inclusive, and competitive mining sector for Nigeria and Africa.
Expectations and Strategic Direction
As President, and on behalf of the National Executive Council, I look forward to working closely with the Board to:
• Strengthen institutional governance, compliance, and accountability
• Support strategic policy engagement and partnerships at national, regional, and international levels
• Provide oversight that enables growth without mission drift
• Champion transparency, ethical leadership, and inclusive decision-making
• Safeguard the long-term sustainability of Women in Mining Nigeria
Together, we must position WIMIN as a trusted partner to government, industry, and development institutions—one that delivers measurable outcomes for women, communities, and the mining sector.
Our confidence in the competence and commitment of this distinguished Board is unwavering, further reinforced by the guidance and support of our Grand Patron, His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi, whose dedication to national development and sectoral growth continues to inspire us.
Commitment from the Executive
I assure the Board of the full cooperation of the National Executive Council and the entire WIMIN membership. This relationship is founded not on hierarchy, but on partnership—anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and a collective responsibility to advance women’s leadership and participation in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Closing
Our Grand Patron, ably represented today by Her Royal Majesty, Olori Folasade Ashley; Distinguished Trustees, your acceptance of this responsibility is an act of service—to women, to industry, and to national development.
History will assess this Board not only by the institutions it preserves, but by the policies it influences and the opportunities it enables.
On behalf of Women in Mining Nigeria, I formally welcome and congratulate you on your inauguration as the Second Board of Trustees. May your tenure be defined by wisdom, courage, and lasting institutional impact.
Thank you, and God bless Women in Mining Nigeria.
