Unlocking Neurodiversity in Nigeria: A Path to Inclusion and Innovation
Neurodiversity is a concept that is reshaping the way we perceive and approach neurological differences in society, it has been portrayed, admittedly imperfectly, in pop culture, Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons) of the US hit show The Big bang theory is a famous example (his obsession with completing tasks and knocking 3 times before entering a room are hallmarks of OCD, his lack of understanding of social cues is a common trait of autistic individuals). Mayim Bialik, who played Amy Farrah Fowler (she is a real neuroscientist), even admitted in an interview that every major character portrayed on the show is on some spectrum or the other, another noteworthy mention is Rizwan Khan from 2010 Bollywood film, My name is Khan, the film went to great lengths to portray autism.
Neurodivergence recognizes that the human brain is incredibly diverse and that neurological variations, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more, are a natural part of this diversity. In Nigeria, like in many parts of the world, neurodiversity is gaining recognition, although there is still much progress to be made in terms of understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
As curators of customer experiences, product communities have a huge role to play in mapping out Nigeria’s neurodiversity landscape.
Understanding Neurodiversity in Nigeria
It is essential to understand what neurodiversity entails. Neurodiversity encompasses a range of neurological conditions that affect individuals differently. For instance, in each member of any group of individuals with ADHD, variations will exist that are influenced by various factors including life experiences, genetic makeup, lifestyle choices and more.
The sheer difference and scale of neurological diversity can only be bridged by upscaling research into these individuals, not to exploit, as is becoming more commonplace, but to truly solve the problems they face.
In Nigeria, as in most countries, accurate statistics on the prevalence of neurodivergence are challenging to obtain. However, globally, it is estimated that approximately 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent. In the Nigerian context, this translates to around 28 million of Nigeria’s 200 million people.
Cultural Perception of Neurodiversity
Cultural perceptions of neurodiversity in Nigeria, like in many other cultures, have often been marked by misconceptions, stigmatization, and ignorance. Many neurodivergent individuals face social and institutional barriers that hinder their full participation in society or the workplace.
To name a few instances, the individual roaming the streets with dreadlocks and tattered clothes can be quickly tagged “mad” without an understanding of psychosis. An autistic person may struggle socially and can be tagged “insensitive” or “tone deaf” if they are not informed of the impact of their behaviour, a dyslexic individual may be termed “slow” or “unintelligent”.
Without understanding, assisting and accommodating neurodivergent individuals, we will rob ourselves of their unique contributions, after all, Albert Einstein, one of the godfathers of modern physics, famously had ADHD.
In fact, understanding, researching and documenting neurodiversity has a stronger argument in Nigeria and the African continent than anywhere else in the world. According to research, the African population has the greatest genetic diversity in the world, in fact Africans have more genetic diversity than the rest of the world combined, this ties into the scientific discovery that early humans evolved on the African continent before they migrated to Asia and then the rest of the world.
If every race came out of Africa, it can then be argued that the most extreme neurological variations can be found somewhere on the African continent. Armed with this information, it is simply insufficient to carry out customer research without deeply understanding the context of African neurodiversity, we have too much information yet to be discovered.
However, there is hope on the horizon. As awareness grows and education becomes more accessible, the society is gradually becoming more open to understanding and embracing neurodiversity. Organizations and advocacy groups are playing a crucial role in breaking down stereotypes and promoting inclusion.
Building Products with Neurodivergent Individuals in Mind
Customer facing teams, including product managers, customer success managers, designers, business analysts, academic researchers and more, have an important role to play in fostering inclusion. Incorporating neurodiversity into product development means designing with empathy and consideration for individuals with diverse cognitive profiles. This can involve:
- Accessible Design: Creating digital products that are easy to navigate and understand, accommodating neurodivergent users’ unique needs.
2. User Testing: Actively involving neurodivergent individuals in the testing process to gather valuable insights and feedback for improvement.
3. Inclusive Language: Using clear and concise language in product interfaces to enhance communication and comprehension for all users.
4. Sensory Considerations: Recognizing and addressing sensory sensitivities in design elements such as colours, fonts, and animations.
5. Flexibility: Offering customizable features to allow users to adapt the product to their preferences and needs.
Neurological diversity in the workplace
Companies in Nigeria can benefit greatly from diversifying their workforce by accommodating and hiring more neurodivergent individuals, many of these individuals may struggle with traditional recruitment processes, especially if it involves multiple steps and interviews which don’t necessarily test what they can do on the job, however, while on the job, they may prove invaluable team members.
Neurodivergent employees may bring different perspectives, as well as problem-solving skills, excelling in analytical thinking, attention to detail, and creativity. A neurodivergent employee is a company’s best chance of understanding and solving more problems for their neurodivergent customers, this may become invaluable for businesses with cross-selling models.
Furthermore, embracing neurodiversity aligns with global trends in corporate social responsibility and inclusivity, which can enhance reputation and appeal to a broader customer base.
The information needed to solve problems for the neurodivergent customer is not readily available, so it will take the combined efforts of various communities of researchers and academics to know more about, and indeed celebrate our neurodiversity. As leaders in the Fintech sector, we have a social responsibility to offer financial services to truly assist neurodivergent individuals who often struggle to make good financial choices, as Edtech innovators, we may find new research-based teaching models to include ADHD and dyslexic individuals, in the Health sector we may find solutions that bridge the barriers hindering the delivery of helpful medication to those who need it the most. As companies, we may create friendly workspaces that identify and assist the neurodivergent individual to find their peak levels of productivity.
By fostering understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of neurodivergent individuals and incorporating their needs into product development processes, the Nigerian society can take one giant step to unlock the full potential of its diverse population.
Moreover, businesses that actively embrace diversity will find themselves better positioned for innovation and success in the evolving global landscape. The path to a more inclusive and innovative Nigeria starts with acknowledging, including and celebrating the neurodiversity that exists within its borders.
