Professor Ibrahim Hassan Garba is a distinguished Nigerian geologist,
academic leader, and policy advocate whose career has bridged
academia, governance, and the extractive industries. Renowned for
his integrity, intellectual depth, and inclusive leadership, he has
played a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s mining sector and in
promoting gender equity through his mentorship and He-for-She
advocacy.
Born on February 25, 1957, in Riruwai, Doguwa Local Government
Area of Kano State, Professor Garba obtained his Bachelor’s and
Master’s degrees in Geology from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU),
Zaria, between 1980 and 1985, and earned his Ph.D. in Geology from
the University of London in 1993. His early research focused on
mineral exploration and geological mapping, contributing valuable
insights into Nigeria’s solid mineral potential and natural resource
development.
Professor Garba began his academic career at ABU, where he rose
through the ranks to become Head of the Department of Geology, later
serving as Dean and occupying various leadership roles. His
administrative acumen led to his appointment as Vice Chancellor of
the Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil, where
he strengthened research capacity, expanded academic programs, and enhanced institutional governance.
In 2015, he became the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria—Nigeria’s premier university—
succeeding Professor Abdullahi Mustapha. During his tenure, he championed reforms that deepened academic
excellence, improved infrastructure, and fostered greater inclusivity. Under his leadership, ABU advanced its
engagement in applied research, particularly in energy, mining, and sustainable development, aligning the
university’s mission with Nigeria’s broader industrial transformation agenda.
A defining chapter of his career was his national service as the Director-General of the Nigeria Mining
Cadastre Office (MCO) at the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. In this role, Professor Garba
spearheaded the development and implementation of Nigeria’s modern Mining Cadastre System—an
internationally acclaimed model that improved transparency, licensing efficiency, and investor confidence in
the mining sector. His leadership at MCO established a solid foundation for sustainable mineral governance
and positioned Nigeria for renewed growth in the extractive industries.
Beyond his administrative and technical achievements, Professor Garba is a passionate advocate for gender
inclusion in science, technology, and mining. As a He-for-She champion, he has actively supported Women
in
Mining (WIM) Nigeria, encouraging women’s participation in geological sciences, mineral
entrepreneurship, and policy development. His mentorship philosophy promotes opportunities for women and
youth in research, leadership, and value addition across the mining value chain.
Professor Garba has published extensively in local and international journals, contributing to the body of
knowledge on mineral resources, geological mapping, and sustainable mining policy. His thought leadership
continues to influence reforms in education, natural resource governance, and human capital development.
Through decades of visionary service, Professor Ibrahim Hassan Garba remains a symbol of integrity,
excellence, and inclusive leadership—an academic whose legacy bridges the worlds of science, policy, and
social progress.

Onome Ako is a distinguished international development executive
with over 15 years of leadership experience driving transformative
programs across Africa and beyond. She currently serves as the Chief
Executive Officer of Action Against Hunger Canada, where she
leads the organization’s strategic direction, strengthens operations,
and fosters innovation in maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent
health and nutrition. Under her leadership, Action Against Hunger
Canada—part of the global Action Against Hunger International
Network—continues to advance solutions that tackle hunger, gender
inequality, and the complex crises facing vulnerable communities.
Onome’s professional journey spans several leading development
organizations, including World Vision Canada, Amref Health
Africa, AfricaRecruit (a Commonwealth program), and
UNESCO’s Regional Bureau for Education in Africa. Her work
has impacted over 15 countries, focusing on community-led
initiatives, policy reform, and inclusive development. Her ability to
navigate global health, humanitarian, and governance systems has
positioned her as a respected voice in the development and social
She holds a B.A. in English from Obafemi Awolowo University, an M.A. in International Affairs and
Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, and an M.Sc. in Management of NGOs and Social Policy from
the London School of Economics. Onome also chairs the Board of the Canadian Partnership for Women
and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) and serves on the Advisory Committee for the International
Development Program at Centennial College. In recognition of her influence and impact, she was named
among the 2020 Canadian Women in Global Health.
Deeply inspired by her family’s legacy of entrepreneurship and community service, Onome brings to her
leadership a strong belief in practical, people-centered problem-solving. Growing up in Nigeria, she witnessed
her mother’s entrepreneurial resilience and her father’s commitment to community wellbeing—values that
shaped her career in global development. Her father’s act of providing clean water to the community through
a self-funded tap installation remains a lasting symbol of local innovation and collective good principles that
continue to guide Onome’s approach to leadership.
Taking the helm of Action Against Hunger Canada amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Onome demonstrated
entrepreneurial agility in steering the organization through a time of compounding global crises. She describes
her approach as “entrepreneurial humanitarianism”—an adaptive, solutions-oriented mindset required to
confront interconnected challenges such as food insecurity, conflict, climate impacts, and gender inequality.
For Onome, fighting hunger is more than delivering food—it is about addressing its systemic causes. She
advocates for holistic interventions that integrate nutrition, water and sanitation, psychosocial support, and
community empowerment. Her leadership emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and trust-building,
recognizing that sustainable change depends on engaging communities as partners in their own development.
As a Board Member of Women in Mining Initiative (WIMIN), Onome brings her expertise in inclusive
governance, institutional strengthening, and gender equality to the mining sector. Her global perspective and
experience in empowering women and communities make her a vital contributor to WIMIN’s mission of
advancing women’s participation, leadership, and sustainable practices in Nigeria’s extractive industries.

Engr. (Dr.) Janet Febisola Adeyemi is a trailblazing engineer, legislator,
and gender advocate with over 35 years of leadership spanning mining,
energy, environmental management, and public policy across Africa
and North America. She is the President of Women in Mining Nigeria
(WIMIN) — a non-governmental organization she founded in 2006 to
promote gender inclusion, responsible mining, and sustainable
development in the extractive industries.
Under her visionary leadership, WIMIN has grown to 27 state chapters
and over 5,000 members, driving national and regional conversations
on women’s participation, community engagement, environmental
stewardship, and value addition in the mining ecosystem. She has led
landmark initiatives including the Gold and Gemstone Conference and
Exhibition (GGCE), Girls for Mining Clubs,Mines to mind, Peer
Mentoring Scheme, and the WIM-Right App for real-time gender-based
violence reporting in mining communities.
Dr. Adeyemi’s career bridges engineering excellence, governance, and
advocacy. A former Member of Nigeria’s Federal House of
Representatives (1999–2003), she sponsored over 15 legislative bills
and served as Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters
to the President. She has also held key national appointments including
Executive Board Member of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory
Commission (ICRC) and Chair of the Ondo State Cocoa Processing
Industry, where she revitalized state industrial assets.
She currently serves on numerous national and international boards
• Member, CSPF of World Bank/IMF for West & Central Africa (2022–2024)
• Member, Inter-Ministerial Task Team for the Nigerian Economic Steel Corridor
• Member, African Mining Vision Gender Steering Committee
• Vice-Chair, New Day Cement Company, Ondo State
• Chair, Governance Committee of the African Network of Women in Business Nigeria (ANWBN)
• Member, Global Advisory Committee on adolescents and ASM Project
An accomplished scholar, Dr. Adeyemi holds degrees in Geology (Obafemi Awolowo University), Water &
Wastewater Engineering (Loughborough University, UK), Public Administration (Columbus International
University, UK), and Law (National Open University of Nigeria). She is pursuing a Doctorate in Mining and
Governance. Her advanced certifications cover Mining Governance (UNDP/IGF), Circular Economy, Gender
and Sexuality (University of Pittsburgh), and Executive Micro -Certificate in Economic Leadership for
Minerals and Mining (University of British Columbia) amongst several others earned through self-paced
learning
A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society
(FNMGS), she is internationally recognized as one of the 100 Inspirational Women in Mining (UK, 2018).
Dr. Adeyemi continues to champion inclusive policies, technical innovation, and sustainable mineral
development — advancing a future where Africa’s natural wealth transforms lives equitably and responsibly.
She is a major voice in natural resource governance, climate change, sustainability and gender space nationally
and internationally.

Dr. Emeka Flemin Okengwu is a seasoned public speaker, TV commentator,
and policy analyst. He holds a PhD in Development Economics, with
additional degrees in Political Science and Entrepreneurship. He is currently
the Executive Director of Biosources and Technologies Limited, leading a
public-private partnership focused on bioethanol development from cassava.
A leading figure in the development of a bioethanol value by utilising cassava,
Dr Okengwu aligns his expertise in development economics and agricultural
transformation for the benefit of the agro-processibg industry in Nigeria.
National
Dr Okengwu served for several years as a member of the Strategic Committee
for
Agricultural
Transformation
Plan
(NATIP).
He also has expertise and extensive involvement in the mining sector,
including carrying out a scoping study on the Nigerian Mining Sector (CIDA,
2012), an membership of the working group for the review of fiscal and legal
frameworks for the solid minerals sector. He has presented papers and served
as a resource person at various high-level expert meetings like the World
Bank’s International Conference on Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources (2006).
Dr Okengwu has delivered papers on the role of Mining in Sustainable Economic Development at the
Enlarged National Economic Council (NEC) Retreat (2016) and various international mining conferences.
In the area of manufacturing and Industrial development, he has contributed to manufacturing initiatives,
notably as a Resource Person/Consultant for the Ministerial Committee to Develop the Proof of Concept and
Outline Business Case for Methanol Fuel Technology (2021). His involvement in national development
plans (e.g., National Technical Working Group for 30 Years National Infrastructure Master Plan) has been
an asset to Nigeria’s broader industrial growth plans.
He is passionate about developing innovative strategies for leveraging diaspora assets for Nigeria’s
sustainable development.

Amina Ruth Sijuwade is a Lawyer from Kaduna State and was until May 2019, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Kaduna
State, a position she occupied after having served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

Prior to this she served as Executive Director, Business Development and Investments Limited (BDI Ltd), a consultancy where she was responsible for the development and implementation of a state-wide strategy for the development of the solid minerals sector in Kaduna State. With her extensive involvement in the mining sector, her particular interest is in ensuring we achieve sustainable development from the exploitation of our natural resources.

Current directorship positions held are in Northern Numero Resources Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd – both involved in the exploration and mining of gold in Nigeria. She is a member of the Nigeria Bar Association NBA Kaduna Branch, International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA as well as Women in Mining in
Nigeria, WIMIN.