President Bola Tinubu has rescinded the appointment of Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) and the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI). This decision was made just hours after a presidential announcement introduced several new appointments, including Danfulani’s.
In the earlier statement, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga highlighted Yazid Danfulani’s qualifications and professional background. Danfulani holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Arts and Management from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.
The statement also noted his extensive experience in banking, computing, and business administration. Previously, Danfulani had served at the Central Bank of Nigeria and as Zamfara State’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. The President reportedly expressed confidence in Danfulani’s capacity to bring fresh energy and positive results to the solid minerals sector.
However, this announcement was short-lived. Hours later, a revised statement from Onanuga confirmed that the President had decided to renew the tenure of Fatima Umaru Shinkafi as Executive Secretary of the SMDF/PAGMI, effectively nullifying Danfulani’s appointment. According to Onanuga, Shinkafi, who was first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, has played a pivotal role in reforming Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. Her reappointment is viewed as a continuation of these efforts.
“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 in the updated statement.
This development underscores the dynamic and often rapidly changing nature of appointments within Tinubu’s administration, as the government seeks to position experienced individuals in critical roles to achieve its policy objectives.
