TEDxMaiduguri

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Aisha Umar Kadafur

  Aisha Umar Kadafur is a law student, poet, and advocate passionate about storytelling, identity, and social impact. Through her writing and public speaking, she explores themes of resilience, healing, culture, and the power of human experiences. She is the author of Echoes of Memory, a collection of poems that reflects on memory, belonging, and the stories that shape individuals and communities. Her work is driven by a desire to preserve narratives, amplify meaningful conversations, and inspire positive change through the power of words. Beyond her creative pursuits, Aisha is committed to the study of law and the pursuit of justice. She believes in the ability of stories to challenge perceptions, bridge divides, and remind people of the humanity behind every experience.

• Aishatu Kabu

  Aishatu Kabu is a civic leader and gender advocate from northeastern Nigeria committed to empowering women and girls as agents of change. As Founder and Executive Director of ZEGCAWIS and Director of Women for NECSOB Borno, she champions girls’ education, GBV prevention, women peace and security, and accountable governance. Her work has earned global recognition including participation at the UN CSW69 in New York, selection as a Malala Education Champion, and as a One Young World delegate.

• Barr. Zannah Mustapha

  Barrister Zannah Bukar Mustapha is a renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer, mediator, and humanitarian who transitioned from a successful 20-year legal career to become a champion for children weaponised or orphaned by conflict. In 2007, he founded the Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School in Maiduguri, Borno State, providing free education, healthcare, and meals to thousands of children. Crucially, his schools enroll orphans of both Nigerian security forces and Boko Haram insurgents, fostering reconciliation and breaking cycles of generational violence. Celebrated globally for his neutrality and courage, Mustapha served as a key mediator in securing the release of over 100 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls and has been honoured with prestigious accolades, including the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award, the Aurora Prize, and recognition as a CNN Hero.

• Dr. Mohammed Malah

  Dr Mohammed Malah is a chartered geoscientist and energy and climatepolicy professional with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Sector. His career spans upstream petroleum regulation, emissions reduction, sustainability, carbon management, and climate policy. His journey began in Maiduguri, where he attended Namu Primary School, Federal Government College Maiduguri, and the University of Maiduguri. He later obtained a master’s degree and PhD in Petroleum Geoscience from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. He also holds an MBA, which complements his technical background with knowledge of strategy, leadership, and organisational management. Over the years, he has contributed to policy development, regulatory initiatives, research, professional dialogue, and capacity-building programmes in Nigeria and across Africa. He is also committed to mentoring young people and expanding access to knowledge and opportunity. He considers himself a lifelong learner and continues to broaden his knowledge across science, policy, leadership, and management. His work focuses on energy policy, sustainability, carbon management, and the transition to cleaner energy systems in Nigeria and across Africa. Beyond his professional work, he is interested in how communities can turn constraints into innovation, resilience, and new possibilities.

• Fatima Bukar Lamisula

  Hon. Fatima Lamisula is a Nigerian public servant, politician, policy influencer, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and orator passionate about shaping inclusive governance and empowering the next generation of leaders. She serves as a Member of the Nigerian Youth Parliament and chairs its Committee on Women Affairs and Gender Equality, where she champions legislation and policy reforms that advance youth participation, women’s political inclusion, and gender equality. She is a Member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), contributing to initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and democratic governance. As the Regional Director of Young United World Leaders (YUWL), she mentors emerging leaders and drives initiatives that inspire civic engagement and transformational leadership across the region. An accomplished entrepreneur, Fatima is the founder of In and Out Design, an event planning and creative solutions company, and ThreadMinds, a technology startup leveraging artificial intelligence and digital innovation to transform African industries while preserving cultural heritage and creating globally scalable opportunities. With leadership experience spanning public policy, legislative advocacy, governance, and community development, Fatima has established herself as a respected voice on youth development, women ’s leadership, democratic participation, and inclusive governance. She is committed to building stronger institutions, expanding opportunities for women and young people, and advancing innovative solutions that drive sustainable development and lasting social impact across Africa.

• Fatima Ibrahim Musa

  Fatima Ibrahim Musa is a legal practitioner, development specialist, social justice advocate, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in justice reform, gender inclusion, and human rights advocacy in Nigeria. She is the CEO of HOS Fragrance, Founder and Executive Director of Refined Hearts Foundation (RHF), where she leads programs on women's empowerment, access to justice, and digital inclusion. She previously served as Deputy Senior Program Manager at the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), where she managed a multi-state access-to-justice programme delivering pro bono legal services, prison decongestion, and driving court digitization. She has also worked with the British Council and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) on Legal assistance, peacebuilding, and protection programs. Her achievements in these roles include strengthening the capacities of CSOs, supporting the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), and contributing to the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law and the Child Protection law in Borno state. Fatima holds an LL. B, B.L, and a Master's degree in Peacebuilding and Development. She is skilled in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and program management, with a strong commitment to advancing justice and empowering marginalized communities. She is an Award Finalist of the Pan-African Women Empowerment Summit (PAWES 2025) under the Women in Justice and Human Rights Category. Fatima is also the host of FIBRE Podcast, a storytelling platform exploring resilience, purpose, and transformation.

• Ibrahim James Kofa

  Ibrahim James Kofa is a documentary filmmaker, cultural analyst, and Narrative Intelligence researcher who studies how stories influence conflict, identity, leadership, and social transformation. His work combines documentary storytelling, field research, and strategic inquiry to uncover the hidden narratives that shape communities and societies. Drawing on years of engagement with conflict affected communities, displaced populations, grassroots leaders, and former combatants, Kofa explores the human dimensions of peacebuilding, reconstruction, and resilience. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Leadership and Strategic Studies with a focus on post conflict reconstruction and reintegration in Northeast Nigeria. He believes that some of the most powerful forces shaping our future are invisible, the stories people tell about themselves, their communities, and what they believe is possible.

• Mabruka Maina

  Mabruka Maina is a final-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at the University of Maiduguri and a force for grassroots transformation in global health. She has designed and led community-centered initiatives that have reached thousands of students and young people, translating complex scientific concepts into accessible, action-driven conversations. Her work bridges five critical pillars: antimicrobial stewardship, mental health, environmental wellness, animal welfare, and responsible health practices—turning abstract science into tangible community impact. Mabruka has held influential leadership roles across national and international platforms. She is a Global Youth Ambassador, President of the AMR Club at UNIMAID, & had been a Millennium Fellow and Campus Director under the United Nations Academic Impact, One Health Ambassador with OHDI Nigeria, and Student Ambassador with NEOLTH (USA). She is also the founder of Well Minds, Kind Hands, a youth-driven initiative advancing mental wellbeing and the One Health concept. Beyond leadership titles, Mabruka has partnered with schools, global health advocates, and community leaders to establish AMR and WASH clubs in Maiduguri schools and has mentored numerous students. Her guiding philosophy: meaningful change takes root when knowledge reaches the grassroots. An award-winning debater, she fuses scientific depth with compelling storytelling. Whether addressing a hall or an international audience, She believes the future of global health begins with empowering the next generation, one conversation at a time.

• Muhammad Usman

  Muhammed Usman is a media executive, broadcaster, communications strategist, and public speaker with over a decade of experience in journalism, broadcasting, and digital communication. Beginning his career as an intern in 2012, he built his expertise across some of northern Nigeria's leading media organizations including Cool FM Kano, Dala FM Kano of the Freedom Radio Group, before rising to become General Manager of Al-Ansar Radio & TV Maiduguri (96.1 FM). Working in Borno State since 2021 has profoundly shaped his perspective on the power of information. Living and leading in a region that has experienced conflict, he has seen how media can either deepen division or strengthen resilience, peacebuilding, and social cohesion. Beyond the newsroom, Muhammed consults on strategic communications, digital media, and public engagement, while hosting Unplugged with Moh Usman, a podcast exploring media, technology, governance, and society. His work sits at the intersection of media, critical thinking, digital literacy, and community development. He believes that the defining challenge of the digital age is no longer access to information, but cultivating the critical thinking needed to transform information into understanding, trust, and meaningful action.

• Safiya Alkali Ajikolo

  Safiya Alkali Ajikolo is a child rights advocate from Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. She serves as a Girl Champion with Save the Children and is the first Youth Ambassador for 1inclusion4all. Through her work with national and international organizations, she advocates for children’s rights, girls’ leadership, education, and meaningful youth participation. Safiya has represented children and young people on national and global platforms, including Geneva Peace building week, and the Global Youth and Adolescent Consultations for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She is passionate about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to be heard, thrive, and shape the future.

• Zainab Salihijo Ahmad

  Zainab Salihijo Ahmad is an entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, and financial educator whose life’s work sits at the intersection of creativity, purpose, and empowerment. Rooted in a deep belief that lasting change begins with the individual, she has built a body of work that is as layered as it is intentional, spanning fashion, visual art, financial literacy, and community development. As the founder and creative director of Pink Fleur, Zainab has spent over fifteen years building a globally recognised modest fashion brand celebrated for its unique blend of storytelling, retail innovation, and purpose-driven design. Her creative sensibility runs deeper still, as a visual artist working in photography and colour, she occupies a quiet, instinct-led space where expression flows freely and identity speaks without explanation. A Harvard Business School-trained leader and social impact strategist, Zainab serves on the boards of the Salihijo Ahmad Foundation, FlexiSAF Foundation, and Pink Fleur Foundation, designing and leading programmes centred on education, mentorship, and dignified economic opportunity for underserved communities—including orphans and internally displaced women. Through this work, she has mentored over sixty women, helping them map purpose-driven roadmaps for their lives. She is also the creator of My Money Series and The Money Reset, a financial literacy platform dedicated to helping women build wealth with strategy, clarity, and intention. Through weekly video content and an annual masterclass, she is reshaping how women relate to money and financial independence. Currently at work on her debut book, Zainab Salihijo Ahmad continues to shape the conversation at the intersection of fashion, education, development, and ethical wealth-building, guided always by a belief that empowering one woman creates a ripple effect that transforms families, communities, and generations.