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Chime Asonye, Executive Director
Chime Asonye is a lawyer and development practitioner. He serves as Founder of Nigerian Mental Health, the country’s largest multidisciplinary community of practitioners with over 30+ mental health-focused organizations working to advance policy advocacy, research, & wellness programming. His thought leadership on psychology issues has been featured in Harvard Africa Policy Review, CNBC Africa, and the World Economic Forum, among others.
Previously, he served as Innovation Manager at COVIDaction, a U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office-led consortium supporting pandemic response in Africa and South Asia. Before COVIDaction, he worked as the Advocacy Manager at Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), an independent foundation established by Chevron to alleviate poverty and improve peace in the oil-producing region. Earlier, he advanced the United Nations Global Goals, serving at both the federal and sub-national government levels of Nigeria.
He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Also, a Juris Doctor (Doctor of Law) from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
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Chi Chi Egbulem, Director of Special Projects
Chinonye “Chi Chi” Egbulem, MPH, MSW is a social-impact thought leader, gender-based violence advisor, racial equity consultant, and mental health advocate. Most of her advocacy work is centered around equity, economic empowerment, and wellbeing for Africa and her Diaspora. She uses business principles and technology to address social challenges related to youth development, community health and economic development in low and middle-income communities.
She specializes in managing program design and research team activities; engages in national level stakeholder engagement in Nigeria and Uganda. She liaises regularly with partner organizations on the ground as well as local and national government officials to fulfill the scientific aims of various projects.
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Halima Mason, Director of Wellness
Halima is a Psychologist, a trainee Holistic Sex Therapist and a Mental Health and Sexual Wellness Professional. Founder of Holistically NG, a microsite dedicated to promoting healing, improving sexual literacy and liberation, sharing mental health information and reducing the stigma associated with those living with mental health conditions.
She’s also the Host of Spit or Swallow Podcast, the first sex podcast in Nigeria, aimed at normalizing and demystifying sex matters in the country. Her driving force is excellence and innovation in all relevant areas that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the mental wellness and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights ecosystem in Nigeria.
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Latifat Cabirou (Ph.D), Director of Research
Her identity as a counselling psychologist was developed through training at the following institutions:
Northwestern University Counseling and Psychological Services- Predoctoral Internship
Loyola University- PhD in Counseling Psychology
Advocate Trauma Recovery Center- Postdoctoral Fellowship
As a clinician, she has had the fortunate opportunities to work in various settings including inpatient and outpatient behavior health systems, trauma unit of medical hospitals, emergency rooms, university counseling centers, and community counseling centers.
She has worked with individuals across the lifespan with various presenting concerns including mood, relationships, identity, education/career, cross-cultural challenges, and family-of-origin. She also has specialized training in working with college students, immigrants, and survivors of intentional violence/trauma.
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Ubose Osoname Olorunfemi, Assistant Director of Research
Ubose Osoname Olorunfemi was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013, he thereafter worked in the law office of Tayo – Oyetibo LP during the one year compulsory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC). Upon the completion of his NYSC, he was employed by the University of Benin in 2014.
He is currently a Lecturer in the Department of International Law and Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law. He is also working on his PHD which is focused on Mental Health laws and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria. He has served as a member on several committees within the University and as member of the board of the University’s Secondary School. He is an ardent lover of music and creative art.
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Elizabeth Ita, Program Assistant
Elizabeth Ita has a Bachelor’s degree in Radiography & Radiological Science, as well as other certifications from top institutions such as the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Public Health England, and Washington University.
Aside from her academic achievements, she is also a Digital Polymath, IBM-certified Design thinking practitioner, and freelance multi-disciplinary graphic designer passionate about delivering creative and engaging solutions across brand identity, print, and digital media.
She is proud to be the Founder of Stilt Ng, a non-profit organization focused on improving the mental health and well-being of young Nigerians aged 13-30 through mental health education, peer support, and advocacy.
Overall, she is an enthusiastic and versatile woman who is always looking for opportunities to learn, grow and contribute positively to society.
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Adedeji Adegoroye, Communications Director
Adedeji Oluwadare Adegoroye, known as Ade, is a graduate of Information Technology from Heritage Christian College Ghana, and is a social innovator known for his focus and advocacy on Menstrual, Mental, and Sexual Health (MMSH). Ade enjoys working with and volunteering for social causes and has worked with NGOs, social enterprises, and international bodies. He channels his passion into making Nigeria a better country.
Ade is fervently dedicated to advancing mental health awareness for Nigerians, utilizing technology-driven ideas and solutions, coupled with his knowledge and passion for business, to tackle social challenges related to mental well-being. Through strategic communication and creative initiatives, Ade aims to break down societal stigmas and foster a more supportive and understanding environment for mental health. Ade encourages everyone to strive toward a loving and mentally stable future.
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Gbenga Adebayo, Communications Team
Gbenga combines strong leadership, design and managerial skills to deliver his capabilities as a resourceful person. He is very proactive, versatile, full of energy & passionate about the digital ecosystem as a productive tool. As a vision driven and goal oriented person, he believes great organizations are built with proper structure and become strong through information, people and value in the market space.
He walks in the light of visuals and brand identity design with over 4years experience in creating solutions that have helped brands to thrive through my creative tools & processes. His thirst for self- development has helped him to broaden his knowledge outside design to making out time for self- reflection, identifying areas requiring improvement, and using his networking skills to connect with people who can help him get better as a tech-oriented person.
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Joy Andor-Tyokaha, Team Member
Joy Andor-Tyokaha holds an MBA in Finance from Coventry University, UK. Her finance management experience within the development sector has contributed to the accuracy and integrity of financial information and monetary transactions.
As a social worker, Joy has worked with a wide range of marginalized groups, including refugees, internally displaced persons and persons with disabilities. She has seen firsthand the devastating effects of trauma and displacement and has developed a deep empathy and understanding for those who have experienced these challenges. Her work is grounded in a deep understanding of the ways in which trauma and marginalization impact mental health, and she is committed to providing a safe and supportive space for those who have been affected by these issues. Her passion for mental wellness birthed "The Wellness Support Network."
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Omolayo Anjorin, Research Team
Omolayo Anjorin is a medical doctor and a mental health researcher. She considers myself a highly motivated, hard-working, and passionate individual who enjoys solving problems and loves working with people. She has experience in clinical care, public health, psychosocial support, health consulting, and project management. She is passionate about mental health systems strengthening, which includes critically analyzing mental health policies to bridge the inequities in accessing mental healthcare, instituting financial and technological support systems to improve the quality of mental healthcare services and rapid response to mental health emergencies.
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Almond Owolabi, Intern
Almond Owolabi is an undergraduate at Obafemi Awolowo University studying Quantity Surveying.
Almond is both a Google-certified Data Analyst and an IBM-Certified Data Scientist. Almond is a proud member of the Google Developer Student Club at Obafemi Awolowo University is also associated with I-Tech Hub, a startup that aims to provide digital solutions to problems.
As an intern at Nigerian Mental Health, he is passionate about fostering awareness, understanding, and destigmatizing mental health issues.