NGO

August 2021

Fatima Akilu: Staying true to her values (B)

By Randall Peterson

In 2016, four years into her role as Director for Behavioural Analysis and Strategy at Nigeriaā€™s Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Fatima Akilu was summarily dismissed from her position, amid accusations of corruption at the organisation, and subsequently charged with fraud. Nigeriaā€...

August 2021

Fatima Akilu: The rise of a quiet leader (A)

By Randall Peterson

In 2015, Fatima Akilu found herself sitting at the kitchen table with her sister, shocked and saddened by what has just happened to her, wondering what to do next. Should she fight to defend her reputation? Or return to a quiet life away from the big government role she has just been fired from? Fa...

August 2021

Quiet Charisma: Fatima Akilu at the Neem Foundation

By Randall Peterson

When Fati Ibrahim lost her husband and eldest son after Boko Haram insurgents attacked their town of Gwoza in north-eastern Nigeria, she wasnā€™t alone. She was one of dozens of women who lost family members, homes and livelihoods. Three years later, she found herself queueing outside a tent near Ma...