Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji, Executive Director of WiM-Africa, has been awarded the Women in Mining Award at the Resourcing Tomorrow Outstanding Achievement Awards & Gala Dinner 2025 — a global recognition honouring women who are shaping the future of the mining industry through leadership, innovation, ESG excellence, community impact and sector transformation.
Dr. Asokoro-Ogaji was recognized among six outstanding finalists, including:
- Amanda Lacaze – Managing Director, Lynas Rare Earths
- Laura Tyler – Former CEO & Managing Director, Adriatic Metals
- Ingrid Hibbard – CEO, Pelangio Exploration
- Michelle Keegan – Atrico; Robopalooza
- Ria Sanz – Senior Adviser, Marlow Global
- Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji – Executive Director, Women in Mining Africa (Winner)
- The award underscores Dr. Ogaji’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s mining ecosystem — advancing women-led beneficiation, inclusive community development, research and policy advocacy, critical minerals cooperation, and the establishment of the WiM-Africa Institute for Leadership & Sustainable Mining and beneficiation labs across regions of Africa.
Upon receiving the award, she dedicated it not only to women in mining but to the people at the heart of the industry — mining host communities.
“This win is not mine alone. It is a win for African women in mining, for mining host community voices, for indigenous women and men who live where minerals are extracted, and for every woman who keeps the wheel turning even when the world is not watching.”
— Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji
“This is for the communities that sustain and welcome global industries operating in Africa — communities deserving of empowerment, safety, opportunity, and value creation. May this moment signal that women belong in boardrooms, on exploration sites, in beneficiation plants, in investment conversations, and at policy tables across the continent.”
Her selection highlights her continental influence, spanning 36 African countries, and her drive to shape the future of mining through value addition, economic empowerment for women and youth, climate-smart governance, women-owned cooperatives, research structures and mining policy engagement.
