Talk about us. Dr. Fatima Akilu

Dr. Fatima Akilu is the Executive Director of Neem Foundation. She also heads the Psychosocial Services Component of the foundation. She is a trained psychologist with over 20 years experience in the field of mental health and psychology. ⁠

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She has taught and authored research papers relating to homelessness, ethnicity and its relationship with mental health. Dr. Akilu holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Reading (UK), and worked as an Adjunct Professor of General Psychology at Broome Community College (USA).⁠

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Dr. Akilu has garnered experience in the Communications industry in her capacity as the Chairman of the Editorial Board of a leading Nigerian national newspaper and the Head of Communication to the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Nigerian President on Millennium Development Goals. Until August 2015, she pioneered Nigeria’s Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) programme as the Director for Behavioural Analysis and Strategic Communications at the Office of the National Security Adviser; a position she held for 3 years.

Writing.

Akilu is also a children's book writer, who has authored over 17 children's books. She has authored a series of eight books on the Millennium Development Goals for children to teach children about multiculturalism as well as worldwide development issues. She currently leads a campaign to have Nigerian children read 100 books a year.

Awards and recognition

• Zahra and Coco Alphabet, 2012 Winner of Moonbeam Children's Book Award's Gold prize in the Alphabet/ Counting Book category.

• ‘Preye and the Sea of Plastics’ by Fatima Akilu and ‘Mayowa and the Masquerade’ by Lola Shoneyin: Joint Winners for the ANA/Atiku Abubakar Prize for Children's Literature.

Pic and Source Neem Foundation

Curator Munllonch

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