For over five years, Harouna Abdoulaye has led local efforts to confront violent extremism through peacebuilding projects and programs that inspire youth to take action. He is currently implementing the Voices for Peace (V4P) activity. V4P is a West African regional project designed to build local community resilience to violent extremism (VE) narratives by tapping into a vast array of local actors and resources, including community radio stations, civil society actors, young influencers, and community leaders from various ethnic and social backgrounds.

Dr. Akilu is the Executive Director of Neem Foundation. She is a trained psychology wit over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health and psychology. She has taught and authored research papers relating to homelessness, ethnicity and its relationship with mental health. Dr. Akilu holds a Masters Degree and PhD in Psychology from the University of Reading (UK), and has worked as an Adjunct Professor of General Psychology at Broome Community College (USA) for over 12 years.

Mrs. Hurera Atta is the Assistant Executive Director and Head of Education at Neem Foundation. A devoted advocate of human rights, civil liberties, and education – especially for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds – Mrs. Atta has built a legal and corporate career spanning over 25 years. As a lawyer, she handled high-profile and controversial human rights cases, representing young at-risk women. In her capacity as General Manager at Allan Woods Limited, she oversaw and spearheaded the development of the educational institution to bridge the gap in the area of professional development for Nigerian professionals.

Dr. Abiye M. Iruayenema is an expert sociocognitive research psychologist and strategic communications specialist. He is currently heads a mobile counselling and preventing violent extremism (PVE) initiative, which offers counselling in hard-to-reach traumatized communities in Maiduguri, Borno State. As an experienced academic and researcher, Dr. Iruayenama created vulnerability and needs assessments tools used for a UNICEF funded rehabilitation and reintegration programme for 1,500 Children Associated with Armed Groups. He has delivered several trainings revolving around self-care for humanitarian aid workers, social and emotional learning, as well as addressing psychological trauma in conflict zones.