board members

MRS. AISHA MUHAMMED-OYEBODE

Chairman

Mrs. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode is a development specialist, international NGO expert and human rights activist specializing in women and girls initiatives. She advises on on social impact and corporate social responsibility projects, with expertise on Africa. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation. Mrs. Oyebode is a co-convener of the ongoing Bring Back Our Girls Movement and she encourages the mentorship of Nigerian women in public and civil life. She has an LLM in Public International Law from King’s College, University of London and an MBA in Finance from Imperial College, University of London. She is trained as a lawyer and is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

MRS. HURERA ATTA

Treasurer

Mrs. Hurera Atta is the Assistant Executive Director and Head of the Inclusive Communities Component at Neem Foundation. She is a trained lawyer with 24 years’ experience. She holds an LL.B from University College Wales, Aberystwyth (UK) and qualified with a Bachelors of Law (B.L) from the Council of Legal Education (Nigerian Law School) in 1992. In her capacity as the Coordinator of the Counter-Radicalization programme at the Office of the National Security Adviser in Nigeria, she set up and was instrumental in the development and implementation of strategies for C-Rad projects. Mrs. Atta is an experienced researcher, with a focus on counter-radicalization policies and programmes, social and economic inclusion, gender equality and equitable governance.

DR. FATIMA AKILU

Board Member/Executive Director

Dr. Fatima Akilu is the Executive Director of Neem Foundation. She is a trained psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in the field of mental health, psychology, Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) and communications. Dr. Akilu holds a Masters 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 Counter 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.

BARR. RAFAT MOHAMMED

Secretary to the Board

Barr. Rafat Mohammed is a legal practitioner with many years of experience in civil litigation and criminal law practice, and has significant experience in acting as a legal adviser and Consultant. She is the Principal Partner at Hamraf & Co, and obtained her LL.B from the University of Maiduguri.

HAMZA ATTA

Board Member

Hamza Atta is the Managing Director at Polystyrene Industries. He has 24 years’ experience in Business Development and Project Management, 15 years’ experience in design, procurement, government relations & marketing. He is a self-starting, honest, well-travelled, multi-skilled and dedicated professional. He holds a LLB from the University of Hull (UK).

RICHARD BARRET

Board Member

Richard Barrett is the Founder and Director of the Global Strategy Network. He was the former Director of Global Counter-terrorism at MI6. He was also the coordinator of the UN Al-Qaida/Taliban Monitoring Team from 2004 to 2013, and appointed by the UN Secretary General. Mr. Barrett is a fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London and an Adjunct Professor of Law and Financial Integrity at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. He is on the board of several organisations that look at issues to do with violent extremism, including the International Centre for Counter Terrorism – The Hague; the Global Center on Cooperative Security in Washington, the Centre for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad, and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue in London.

DIKKO SADA

Board Member

Dikko Sada is a seasoned Business Leader with over 25 years’ experience in the corporate business sector. He has significant experience in managing start-ups, having a run a successful consultancy and Facility Management Company for many years. He obtained a Degree in Mathematics from Howard University (USA).