Shimite Bello (Nee Nwakalo) was born into the family of Late Mr Jacob Okwunudu Nwakalor and Mrs Roseline Nwakalo. She married Mr Richard A. U. Bello. Shimite Bello attended both Air Force primary and secondary schools in Ikeja between 1981 to 1986 and 1986 to 1990 respectively, and later obtained her SSCE from Air Force Secondary School, Makurdi in 1992.

She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Ibadan in 1999 and proceeded to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) upon graduation. During her Passing-out-Parade, she was awarded a plaque of honour for her dedication and commitment to service and support for the less privileged and vulnerable people – a core focus during her weekly Corpers’ Day (CD) activities, notable amongst which was her contribution at Modupe Cole Memorial Home for people living with mental disabilities.

Shimite Bello worked with her elder sister, Agatha Amata on the Inside- Out TV series as a Programme Coordinator and Marketing Executive throughout her University and NYSC years. She also worked as TV Presenter with Lagos Weekend Television between 1992 to 1994. She ran a travelling agency business “Generations Travel Agency and Tours” between 2005 to 2012. She was also a contributing editor for travel and tourism with Daily Trust Newspaper, Leadership Newspaper and African Travel Quarterly Magazine. She was an active member of National Tour Operators of Nigeria (NATOP), National Association of Travel Agencies (NANTA), Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) and Association of Nigerian Journalists in Entertainment and Tourism (ANJET).

Led by a passion for women and youth empowerment and development, Shimite later veered into working with grassroots women and youth in financial literacy, gender mainstreaming and, financial inclusion in the areas of Agriculture, Solid Minerals, ICT and Agency Banking. She trained with CIBN, SMEDAN and other DFID interventions in order to expand her knowledge base. She joined Women in Public Management, Business and Administration (WIMBIZ), Rural Financing of Nigeria (RUFIN), Association of Non-Bank Micro-Finance Institutions of Nigeria (ANMFIN), and Chartered institute of Commerce amongst others.

Her NGO, Quintessential Business Women Association (QBWA) has a United Nations Consultative Status and works with different UN organisations. QBWA has partnered with CBN, BOI, BOA, NDDC, DFID and USAID since its establishment.

Due to her diligence, Shimite was appointed by the Delta State Government as the Executive Secretary of Delta Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency from 2015 – 2019 and later appointed as the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Export Initiatives and the Coordinator UNIDO Center in 2019.

Notable amongst her other achievements include her contributions to Delta Food Export Initiative, Job Creation Steering Committee, and Agricultural Marketing Board. She was the Delta State Focal Person for the Federal Government Intervention: National Social Safety – Net Programme (SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME) that oversees N-Power, Home Grown School Feeding Programme, GEEP, the Social Register, and Cash Transfer.

Shimite Bello worked as Technical Adviser on Business Ethics and Values under the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and Values, Mrs Sarah Jibrin. She also served oncdifferent committees, including Steering Committee of USAID/NEXTT (Nigerian Expanded Trade & Transport) – LAKAJI Trade Corridor and the Agric-Business Development. She is an active member for policy formulation and amendment for National Assembly Business Environment Round-Table (NASSBER).

Shimite Bello is the Group President/Chief Executive Officer of Quintessential Group, a conglomerate comprising an NGO, a social enterprise, and a limited liability company in agriculture and solid minerals.

Mrs Bello is a media professional, producer and the presenter of “African Pot” and “African Pot Extra”; a highly regarded TV documentary that promotes traditional African cuisine, tourism and African culture, as well as investment opportunities in Africa. She has produced two recipes “African Pot Recipe Book ” and “100% Nigerian”.

Shimite Bello is renowned for her intricate knowledge of Micro Finance, MSME Development, Human Capital Development, Export, Financial Literacy, Mentoring, Job and Wealth Creation. She has infused her leadership quality with a thorough understanding of the African rural community, rural financing strategies and the African Marketplace.

Mrs Shimite Bello is a multiple Award winner in the areas of Community Development, Micro Finance, Youth and Women Development, Media, and Agricultural Development.