Federal Government trains workers to drive Nigeria’s gold mining reforms

*Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, emphasises how core values, including professionalism, effective communication, teamwork and collaboration, mutual respect and effective time management are essential for staff to provide high-quality public services

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As part of measures to drive reforms in the gold mining sector ofbrhe Nigerian economy, the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has announced the commencement of its 2026 training for the staff of the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI).

ConsumerConnect reports the Nigerian Government, through the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) The PAGMI conceived the idea to provide artisanal miners access to markets through a National Gold Purchase Programme, promote safer, and more efficient mining and ensure responsible sourcing.

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The initiative also seeks to create jobs, boost productivity, and improve miners’ health and safety.

The SMDF explained the training programme on professional ethics and personal effectiveness is part of a series of capacity-building programmes by the SMDF.

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The Fund said the training initiative is aimed at equipping PAGMI’s staff with the skills and knowledge to perform their duties diligently.

In her address at the recent two-day capacity building held in Abuja, FCT, Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, Executive Secretary of SMDF, said the programme would strengthen work ethics, enhance productivity and improve overall service delivery.

Hajiya Shinkafi, represented at the forum by Alhaji Abdullahi Odey, her Personal Assistant, also emphasised the importance of staff upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability in the performance of their duties.

She stated: “This training is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening staff capacity, reinforcing professionalism and enhancing service delivery across the agency.”

Ethical conduct and personal discipline are critical to achieve organisational goals and reforms agenda, Hajiya Shinkafi said.

The Executive Secretary of SMDF further emphasised how core values, such as professionalism, effective communication, teamwork and collaboration, mutual respect and effective time management are essential for staff to provide high-quality public services.

According to her, strong work ethic remains the cornerstone of organisational trust, operational efficiency and a healthy workplace culture.

The SMDF Executive Secretary, therefore, urged participants to take every opportunity for personal and professional growth though the training initiative.

She equally stressed that the agency’s future relied on collective commitment and workforce effectiveness.

Speaking at the programme, Hajiya Amina Jambo, Founder of Coaching, Counselling and Allied Services (CCAS), facilitators of the training, underscored the importance of effective time management as the foundation for developing strong personal and professional ethics.

Mrs. Idowu Jokpeyibo, Head of Corporate Communications at SMDF, said the training provided an opportunity to advance the actualisation of mining reforms, which participants should not take for granted.

Jokpeyibo commended the SMDF Executive Secretary for prioritising staff welfare and capacity development, thus creating an enabling environment for personal and organisational growth.

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