A UK-based organisation fostering dialogues for Africa’s power and energy sectors, EnergyNet, honoured the Nigerian Indigenous Women in Mining and Natural Resources organisation (NIWIMNRO), for its outstanding performance in capacity building for women artisanal miners in Nigeria.
NIWIMNRO is a Nigerian NGO that aims to empower and advocate for indigenous women in the mining sector.
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Presenting the award at NIWIMNRO’s office on Thursday in Abuja, the Editorial and Content Manager of the Energy News Network (ENN), the news outlet of EnergyNet Ltd, Charlotte Lamb, said the group’s continuation in training and incorporating artisanal mining women in Nigeria since inception is meticulous.
This, according to the manager, has shown the initiative’s commitment to ensure that women and mining communities across the country get back from what is taken out from their community and environment.
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She said: ““The NIWIMNRO began with a conversation between two of your board members on a short course in Australia. Since then, you have trained women in Abuja and Kaduna, you’ve drawn from Niger and Nasarawa, on their rights, on their safety, and on how to manage what they earn.
“What strikes me is that you have not stopped at training. But organising women into cooperatives that can hold licences and enter formal commercial agreements. Also aggregating hubs where lithium, gold and Tin are collected, graded and taken properly into the value chain.”
“Everyone in this sector talks about what communities should get back from what is taken out from the ground beneath them. You have taken on the job of making it happen”
Also present at the head office of the organisation in Abuja, is Gemma Gosling, Head of Production and Abdoulaye Sylla, Head of Africa Portfolio & Corporate Development for the company.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of the NIWIMNRO, Felicia Dairo, also recognises the support of the organisation in fostering NIWIMNRO’s goals in ensuring a promising future for artisanal women miners in Nigeria.
Reflecting on NIWIMNRO’s journey with EnergyNet, Mrs Dairo remarked that the relationship began in 2024 during the Africa Energy Forum in Barcelona, laying the foundation for a meaningful and impactful partnership.
Mrs Dairo said strategic partnerships with organisations including EnergyNet, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), and the Australian High Commission have enabled NIWIMNRO to extend its interventions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, improving the livelihoods of indigenous women miners and supporting development in mining communities.
She noted that EnergyNet has remained a committed partner since the relationship began, recalling the organisation’s participation in the commissioning of NIWIMNRO’s first community development project, a solar-powered borehole in Niger State, and its continued support for subsequent initiatives.
Mrs Dairo further highlighted the progress made since the partnership with the UK-based organisation. She noted that under the Direct Aid Program (DAP) grant of the Australian High Commission in Nigeria, NIWIMNRO has trained 165 women miners and expanded its interventions in Bauchi, Ebonyi and Osun States, reaching communities across all six geopolitical zones of the country.
She explained that “beyond capacity building, we identify the unique challenges facing each mining community and work to provide practical solutions. In addition to training, we have distributed personal protective equipment, including helmets, boots and gloves, to about 60 women miners this year to improve their safety and well-being while working,” she added.
Mrs Dairo said NIWIMNRO also prioritises the health and well-being of women miners by organising medical outreach programmes in mining communities, where healthcare professionals provide screenings, consultations, and health education.
“We know that many miners carry out their work without paying adequate attention to their health. That is why we bring medical personnel into these communities to examine them and provide the necessary health advice,” she said.
She added that the organisation has intensified efforts to promote the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining, particularly among women, to help transition miners from the informal sector into a legally recognised framework.
According to her, many artisanal miners are often perceived as operating illegally because they work outside the formal regulatory system, “we are working with state and federal government agencies to facilitate their registration and formalisation, to ensure they are recognised as legitimate mining operators.
She emphasised that the formalisation would engendered the women artisanal miners access to government support programmes and other opportunities available to licensed operators.
Mrs Dairo expressed appreciation to the organisation for their continued support, saying NIWIMNRO’s achievements would not have been possible without their commitment and confidence in the organisation’s vision.
She said: “We want to sincerely thank you for believing in our vision and walking this journey with us. The progress we have recorded today has been made possible through your support and that of organisations such as the Australian High Commission and CJID”.
EnergyNet Reacts
In his closing remarks, Abdoulaye Sylla, portfolio manager and head of corporate development, EnergyNet, commended NIWIMNRO for its commitment to advancing the rights and livelihoods of indigenous women artisanal miners, describing the organisation’s work as critical to ensuring that the benefits of mining investments reach host communities.
He said EnergyNet was grateful for the opportunity to support NIWIMNRO’s mission, noting that while the organisation understands many of the challenges facing the mining sector, NIWIMNRO’s close engagement with communities provides invaluable insights into the realities on the ground.
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“We should be the ones thanking you for allowing us to be part of this journey because, while we understand some of the realities, we are not on the ground, you are,” he said.
Recalling a visit to mining communities the previous year, Mr Sylla described indigenous women miners as the backbone of local economic development, adding that their contribution is often overlooked despite its significance.
“The women we met last year are the backbone of economic development in their communities. They are incredibly important. We have a saying in French: ‘You put your head where others won’t even put their feet.’ That reflects the work you do every day.”
He added that NIWIMNRO’s dedication and passion continue to inspire EnergyNet and reaffirm its commitment to supporting the organisation’s work.
“You are doing the work that many people are unwilling to do. Seeing your commitment and passion motivates us to continue supporting what you are doing,” he concluded.
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