King's College London

Since 2009, violent extremism has devastated Northern Nigeria, leading to thousands of deaths and the displacement of over two million people. The crisis has deeply affected mental health, social stability, economic development and is worsening existing inequalities. Addressing these interconnected challenges is vital for sustainable peace.

There are clear links between poverty and mental health, as well as between violent conflict and psychological distress. While Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) approaches are gaining recognition in peacebuilding, interventions remain fragmented, with few initiatives addressing the intersection of peace, mental well-being, and economic opportunities. This project aims to bridge that gap by introducing creative interventions that support both psychological recovery and socio-economic livelihoods.

Through a collaboration between King’s College London, Neem Foundation, and the Creative Women in Lagos network, the initiative integrates MHPSS with creative opportunities. It builds on Neem Foundation’s Counselling on Wheels, a mobile mental health and peacebuilding programme that uses creative practices. The project connects participants with leading fashion house Ituen Basi, establishing supply chains that transform artistic expression into livelihood opportunities. By scaling up these efforts, this project seeks to go beyond existing best practices, ensuring that healing and economic independence go hand in hand.

This initiative envisions a future where individuals affected by violence not only recover but thrive, contributing to a stronger, more resilient society through sustainable peacebuilding and creative enterprise. Scalability and expansion efforts move beyond current best practices by expanding MHPSS interventions to simultaneously foster economic independence and long-term stability through creative economic pathways.

“We are very grateful to receive this grant. The project, Weaving Lives in Nigeria, provides the opportunity to co-create and pilot a truly interdisciplinary intervention that combines Nigeria-led innovation across psychosocial support, peacebuilding, creative work and production with cross-Faculty expertise at King's from IoPPN, SSPP and Arts and Humanities as well as King’s Culture. I am looking forward to co-creating new knowledge and collectively facilitating new and lasting networks and relationships.”

- Professor Eka Ikpe, Director, African Leadership Centre & Professor of Development Economics in Africa

Expected Impact

The project will:

• Develop a creative mental health intervention that enhances well-being and sustains livelihoods.
• Share knowledge with charities, government bodies, and policymakers to expand impact.
• Boost personal well-being, skills, and confidence for participants in Northern Nigeria.
• Create sustainable livelihood opportunities through creative industries.
• Provide opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration with fashion designers and the fashion subsector.
• Strengthen networks, visibility, and business partnerships in the long term.

Partners and Collaborators

A multidisciplinary network of partners from across and beyond King's is working together to maximise Weaving Lives' impact. These include:

• Ituen Basi
• Neem Foundation
• King’s African Leadership Centre
• King’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience
• King’s Department of War Studies
• King’s Department of Culture, Media and Creative Industries
• King’s Culture
• King's Department of Global Health and Social Medicine 

Project Team

• Professor Eka Ikpe, Lead
• Professor Roberta Comunian, Co-Lead
• Dr Fatima Akilu, Co-Lead
• Ituen Bassey, Co-Lead
• Professor Melanie Abas , Co-Lead
• Natasha Chilambo, Co-Lead
• Dr Lauren England, Co-Lead
• Professor Preeti Patel, Co-Lead
• Beatrice Pembroke, Co-Lead
• ThankGod Ocheho, Team member
• Dr Damilola Adegoke, Team member
• Kenneth Appiah Nimo (King's PhD student), Team member
• Kamila Atta (King's PGT student), Team member
• Natasha Chilambo (King's alumna), Team member

This project is supported by the One King’s Impact Fund

The One King's Impact Fund is part of One King’s Impact, King’s strategic programme to support and accelerate work within and beyond the University which creates positive change for people, planet and society.

Weaving lives together responds to the following Impact Priorities:

Whole-life health for mind and body | Advancing equality and social mobility | Peace, Justice & Security