Dr. Fatima Akilu is the Executive Director of Neem Foundation. She is a trained psychologist with over 25 years’ experience in the field of mental health, psychology, Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) and communications. Dr. Akilu holds a master’s degree and PhD in Psychology from University of Reading (UK) and was a Former Head of Communication to the Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
From 2012 to 2015, Dr. Akilu served as the Director of Behavioural Analysis and Strategic Communications at the Office of the National Security Adviser where she pioneered Nigeria’s first Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) programme. Dr. Akilu is a seasoned educationist with over 12 years lecturing experience as an Adjunct Professor of General Psychology at Broome Community College (USA). She is responsible for the implementation of programmes and strategies as the Executive Director of Neem Foundation and determining the direction of focus of the projects implemented by the organisation. She has overseen psychological support services to over 30, 000 survivors of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast of Nigeria, a region that has been significantly affected by climate change. Alongside this, she currently oversees several conflict responses programmes across various lake Chad basin region and other parts of the globe. Dr. Akilu has authored more than 17 children’s books and has published articles on homelessness and mental health.