Dr Fatima Akilu: Countering Violent Extremism And Supporting Victims Of Insurgency

Dr Fatima Akilu does what many women of her generation would probably dread, despite the risks involved. She dedicates her resources to addressing the human toll of conflict and violent extremism.

Instead of sitting in the comfort of her office, she traverses northern communities on peacebuilding missions and undertakes psychological rehabilitation of conflict victims.

These sacrifices have contributed to her emergence as one of the region’s most influential voices in deradicalisation, trauma counselling and the reintegration of former extremists and victims of violence.

Born in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, Dr Akilu holds a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s in research methods in psychology and a PhD in psychology from Reading University in Berkshire, United Kingdom (UK) and she is a seasoned educator. She is reputed to have overseen psychological support services to over 30,000 survivors of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

Her academic journey equipped her with the expertise that would later define her work in countering violent extremism and supporting victims of insurgency.

Her professional trajectory reflects a steady rise shaped by purpose and impact. Before founding the Neem Foundation in 2016, Akilu served as a senior special assistant to Nigeria’s national security adviser (NSA) on Strategic Communications. In that role, she was instrumental in developing counter-narratives to extremist ideology, particularly in response to the Boko Haram insurgency that has destabilised parts of Northern Nigeria.

She was appointed as a visiting senior research fellow at the African Leadership Centre in 2020 and she is a leading practitioner on the Centre’s Practice of Leadership programme.

Through the Neem Foundation, which she founded, Akilu has pioneered community-based programmes focused on deradicalisation, trauma counselling and the reintegration of former extremists and victims of violence.

Under her leadership, the organisation has worked extensively with women and children affected by conflict, providing psychosocial support and helping to rebuild fractured communities. Her approach—combining psychological care with community engagement—has been widely regarded as a model for sustainable peacebuilding in fragile settings.

Akilu’s impact extends beyond programme delivery into policy and advocacy. She has contributed to national and international conversations on preventing violent extremism, emphasising the importance of addressing root causes such as marginalisation, trauma, and lack of opportunity.

An author and thought leader, she has contributed to publications on countering violent extremism and mental health in conflict zones, helping to shape both academic and policy discourse.

Her work has earned her numerous honours and recognitions, both locally and internationally, for leadership in peacebuilding and humanitarian service. She is widely respected among development partners, security institutions, and civil society actors for her pragmatic and human-centered approach.

At a time when Northern Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity and displacement, Akilu stands out as a bridge between policy and people—translating complex psychological insights into real-world solutions. Her work underscores a powerful truth: that lasting peace is not built by force alone, but by healing minds and restoring dignity.