Tinubu confirms Shinkafi, cancels Danfulani’s appointment as SMDF Executive Secretary

President Bola Tinubu has rescinded the appointment of Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI).

The cancellation comes shortly after presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga had announced Danfulani’s appointment in a Friday statement detailing new appointments by the president.

The initial statement highlighted Danfulani’s qualifications, including a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Arts and Management from the University of Hertfordshire, UK. It also noted his extensive experience in banking, computing, and business administration, as well as his past roles at the Central Bank of Nigeria and as Zamfara State’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry.

President Tinubu had expressed confidence in the capabilities of Danfulani and other appointees, believing their track records would foster progress and meet Nigerians’ expectations.

However, hours later, Onanuga issued an updated statement revealing that the president had instead approved the renewal of Fatima Umaru Shinkafi’s tenure as Executive Secretary of SMDF/PAGMI. Shinkafi, initially appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, is credited with spearheading reforms in the solid minerals sector.

“The earlier announcement about the appointment of Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani as the Executive Secretary of the SMDF/PAGMI has been cancelled as there is no vacancy in the agency,” Onanuga clarified.