SA’ADATU ADAMU: AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH, COUNSELING, AND LEADERSHIP

Sa’adatu Adamu is a seasoned, multi-faceted professional with over two decades of dynamic experience spanning client services, counseling, executive management, education, and strategic leadership. As the current President of the Psychotherapeutic & Counseling Research Institute (PCRI) in Abuja, she oversees critical policy implementation, departmental success, institutional planning, and organizational sustainability. Under her direction, PCRI has solidified its position as a key institution championing mental health awareness, academic excellence, and social intervention, with over 40 staff members under her direct management. She not only liaises with the board and executes institutional policies but also champions data-driven academic planning while overseeing capital development projects and budget implementation with integrity.

In addition to her presidential role at PCRI, Sa’adatu serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Counseling Association of Nigeria FCT Chapter.This national leadership role positions her at the forefront of advocacy and policy direction for professional counseling in Nigeria. Her ability to manage over 400 members, coordinate committees, and represent the association at regional and national platforms exemplifies her versatility and commitment to elevating counseling standards. Through her strategic initiatives, she has played a pivotal role in growing the association’s reach and influence, promoting mental health literacy, and developing strong institutional frameworks across the country.

Sa’adatu is also the Founder of Secure the Future International Initiative, an NGO committed to societal development through education, counseling, and youth empowerment. Since its establishment in 2018, she has led efforts to raise funds, build effective teams, and foster partnerships with local and international stakeholders. Under her stewardship, the initiative has organized impactful conferences, workshops, and school programs, including the establishment of mental health school clubs. Her hands-on leadership has resulted in counseling over 600 individuals in Abuja and more than 90 others outside Nigeria, demonstrating her passion for holistic well-being and community development.

Her experience as Chief Executive Officer of Maisa Legado Limited from 2014 to 2022 speaks volumes of her entrepreneurial acumen. Sa’adatu successfully built a resilient business with a sustainable structure, secured distributorship deals, and trained over 500 government workers across various agencies. Her role encompassed policy development, executive team building, and day-to-day operations management. Her ability to build strategic alliances, resolve conflicts, and steer organizational growth further defines her as a high-impact leader with a keen sense of business foresight and execution.

Earlier in her career, she served as Principal Partner at Neni-Afrique, where she promoted private sector involvement in education, creating drama clubs and partnering with the Actors Guild of Nigeria to enrich the learning experience of students nationwide. Her commitment to education and advocacy also stood out during her 10-year tenure as Client Service Executive and Zonal Coordinator at NAFDAC Green Pages, where she drove client engagement, secured over 1,000 product listings, and expanded the publication’s reach through strategic marketing and business development efforts.

Educationally, Sa’adatu is well-grounded, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Guidance and Counseling at Nasarawa State University. She holds a Master’s and Postgraduate Diploma in the same field from the same institution, coupled with a certificate in Human Resource Management from UNICAF University in Cyprus. Her academic journey began with a B.Tech (Hons) in IDP/MPP from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (in affiliation with the National Film Institute), and a Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Jos. Her robust educational background, coupled with her rich experience, positions her as a thought leader and visionary professional making significant contributions to mental health advocacy, education, and social development in Nigeria and beyond.