The sun was on a holiday, and the cool breeze rustled through the dry leaves at LASU’s Love Garden, the large expanse of not too meticulously manicured lawns and weak trees close to the MBA Hall, where this reporter sat with Azubuike Emmanuel, a student with albinism.
The chill and tranquil setting seemed the perfect backdrop for our conversation, and just as he began to share stories and situations where people in society portray disregard and discrimination towards him, a group of male students wandered by, their laughter and cheer breaking the silence of the arena where we were seated.
“Oyibo! Oyibo!!Oyibo!!!” they mockingly hailed. The fair, lanky one among them was grinning, his whole yellowish teeth very visible, with the others almost laughing out loud. The disregard and jeer in their voices, accentuated by the jest in their faces was easy to detect as they called out. “Thank God you are here, and can see this. This is one of the things I encounter and face regularly in school, and even outside school” Azubuike said, smiling.
Emmanuel Azubuike( Phot credit: Emmanuel Azubuike)
Albinism is a genetic condition characterised by a partial or complete absence of melanin, the pigment responsible for colouring skin, hair, and eyes, and people with this condition have been categorised as people with disability in the Nigerian National Policy on Albinism which was adopted in 2013 and reviewed in 2017.
The policy also clearly states that Albinism in Nigeria is a human right issue. The paper goes spells out the rights of People with Albinism (PWA), and among these rights include that Albinos be treated as every other member of society, enjoy every fundamental right, and not be subjected to ridicule, and other acts that impede their self-esteem, dignity and inclusivity in society.
However, despite the enactment of this policy, disregard, and varying levels of discrimination against PWA still exist in society. And while the discriminatory and distasteful actions against Persons with Albinism in society including violence, mockery and social isolation are fairly well documented, Persons with Albinism in Lagos State University (LASU) settings, a microcosm of society, also face their own share of harassment, disregard and discrimination.
Social discrimination and disregard for students with albinism in LASU
Azubuike Emmanuel, a 200 level student Of Botany, LASU, admitted the stigmatisation is often unbearable. “I often encounter cases of people trying to ridicule me or mock me. For instance, today (the day of this interview) I was at the faculty of Sciences, when a man greeted me, and suddenly asked me if I could see him clearly”.
Sometimes, some of my coursemates will stretch their hands to give me a handshake, and when I stretch my hands to shake them, they’ll suddenly raise their hands higher or lower it deliberately so they can miss mine. They then would ask whether I saw their hands. At other times, some people will use words like “people like you.” They use it without even thinking about how their words sound.”
Glory Balogun( Photo credit: Glory Balogun)
Azubuike’s experiences echo those of many others, like Glory Balogun, a 100-level student from the department of Theatre Arts, who also faces the sting of social discrimination. According to her, “When taking a walk in school and even outside, people will just start shouting “Oyibo” (a local Nigerian term used to describe a person with albinism). Others would even result to name-calling like “Ko rin ro” (She can’t see)”
In many cases, many tell you to your face “You are not likely to have someone to date you”. Many just make it their job to humiliate a person with albinism.
Responses and coping mechanisms by students with albinism
In the face of these persistent challenges, individuals with albinism in LASU have devised ways to cope with, resist, and respond to the discrimination they encounter daily. Adeola Ijaoba, a 100-level student of Biochemistry said: “ I have good friends around me which lessen the effects”.
Also I always try to forget that I even have albinism, and live life just like everyone else.There are two ways I react “Sometime I ignore but when having a bad, I suffered depression. As I often wonder why people cannot simply put others’ feeling into consideration.”
For Azubuike, “I have developed thick skin and built good self-esteem that could repel the stigmatisation” But within my family setting, “It pained me that my parent always exclude me from outdoor activities especially sporting activity for whatever reason they have.”
At a second Azubuike believed his parent decision may be due the myth about PWA could easily be injured if they do sports. For this, I have diverted my energy into other writing talents. I write poems, I draw, and I am into public speaking. With God, there is no white or black. It’s not possible again. You see yourself as a God,”
I start advocacy around albinism
Glory Balogun on the other hand has forged a beautiful identity for herself by creating and dedicating a podcast to educate people about Albinism and ensuring that interaction by the society is no longer powered by ignorance and myths. This is her response to discrimination and disregard for people with Albinism in society.
“I have created a podcast to talk about Albinism. The name of my podcast is TALK WITH ORENTE, and my Instagram page is glory_aradola. It is about the intricacies of albinism and beyond from personal experience to societal perspective. Also, I have very supportive friends who love me and support my dreams.”
Socio–cultural issues that fuel abuse of the Rights of PWA
The ignorance and misunderstanding from society are often shaped and fueled by broader societal beliefs and superstitious socio-cultural myths, claims and beliefs. Beliefs, such as albinos cannot see, or even more harmful beliefs like being cursed or possessed, or that they bring bad luck, are disturbingly common. Some even think people with albinism are suitable for money rituals due to their perceived innocence.
These harmful stereotypes are no longer hidden, but now boldly portrayed in skits by Nigerian content creators often for laughs, monetary gains, and to mock PWA.
Adeola believes that the society does not see PWA as normal, and this influences the society’s interaction with them. “I believe that the majority of people in society view albinos as people who aren’t fully human. It’s hard to admit, but it is true.
How else do you explain that you are walking on the road and a complete stranger approaches you and starts making fun of you, asking if I can see the ground or how I am able to see? In their head, and just because of the skin colour, they do not see PWA as normal, and it is just so sad,” he said.
These interactions, though subtle, can leave lasting emotional scars and stigma, and make PWA feel certain ways about themselves. Adeola reaffirms this. “There is a stigma with being an albino, and this is majorly because of society’s ignorance and misunderstanding.
For instance, I am usually left out of sporting activities, and even when I get a chance, and I mess up or make a mistake, people quickly say it is because of my albinism. I mean, anyone can make a mistake. But they quickly conclude that it is because of my albinism, and then they won’t call on me again for any activities whatsoever.
Absence of a structured Inclusion Policy in LASU
In LASU, there are no measures for wholesome and comprehensive inclusion of PWA. There are only a few efforts. There is a national Policy on Albinism which highlights several things schools need to have in place to accommodate PWA and make their academic journeys easier.
The policy states “Government and academic institutions at all levels shall implement extra time of a double and half of the original time in accordance with the 58th National Council on Education granted to PWAs in all examinations in the country”.
This means that students with Albinism are entitled to having 2.5 times the normal allotted time to write exams. Also, the policy enjoins schools to demonstrate inclusivity by providing visual and other learning aids for Albino students.
The policy also states “PWAs should sit in front rows in class, provided with note taker, recorder and photocopied materials in bold prints. However, while there are a few efforts towards inclusivity, these efforts are not consistent, and they are not strictly enforced. Adeola says that the time extension for people with albinism is not exactly consistent. “For CBT exams, they give us the right to ask for extra time.
I did not know that we have the right to spend 2.5 timesabove the normal time. But for CBTs, we are usually told to ask for extra time (the exact amount of extra time we can ask for is not always specified) if we need it. But in written exams, there is nothing like that. Everyone writes together and submits when the general time is over.”
Azubuike also said he has not rnot seen where such policy is applied in LASU, I do not know such even exist. According to him “In class, there has never been a time where the school mandates us to sit in front, so I sit where I like or where I can see”. Azubuike also complained “The fonts, texts in my exam sheets are not usually bolder/bigger than the ones for other students”. There is nothing in LASU to affirm any sign of inclusion
“It is a joint effort” –Dr. Joseph Ayeni, head of counselling Unit in LASU Reacts
Dr. Ayeni Joseph, Head of Counselling Units, LASU observes this troubling trend; “It’s not just about the others in society, I’ve seen skits where albinos themselves are acting and are abusing themselves, perhaps with the intent of making money. This is indirectly promoting the stigmatisation
You can even mock yourself because you think when you do that, people will watch. It’s quite a sorry state. I think our society needs to recognise the fact that albinos are also human, and then PWA should also stop encouraging people to mock them by participating in these sorts of skits.”
Although some with albinism have developed various ways to cope with, navigate and respond to discrimination, the Nigerian society still has a lot to learn and to do to improve their interactions with PWA. While their insensitive jokes and comments may seem harmless, they often hide a deeper issue— a lack of understanding and acceptance of albinism.
Dr Joseph Ayeni( Photo credit: Dr Ayeni)
Dr. Joseph Ayeni calls for a shift in societal perception:“ Albinos are completely normal people. Aside from the colour difference, which is a genetic condition, and not their faults at all, they are completely like everyone in the society, and people must consciously realise this and let this reflect in their communication and interactions with persons with Albinism.
The culture of mockery, abuse and every other action that dampens and reduces their esteem or makes them feel isolated in society must end. Everybody deserves to be given equal rights. Everybody’s rights need to be protected.
Dr. Ayeni also calls for stronger advocacy for PWA: “ Rights advocates should come up and defend them. And if possible, they should also speak out for themselves. They should. I’ve discovered that people don’t give you your rights. You just have to request it.
Advocacy groups championed by Albinos themselves should become more vocal about airing their rights. Reasonable members of society should also lend their voice until the desired result is achieved. Once you demand for it, there might be some sort of initial resistance, but if you persist, with time, it will be given to you.
However, Dr Ayeni says that the institution is currently channelling efforts to support and consistently cater to the needs of not just people with albinism alone but also people with disability
“While efforts have not been detailed in the past, I can categorically tell you that the university is already investing so much to ensure that both people with albinism and disability generally are safe and embraced in this school” Dr Ayeni maintained.
He shared “This year, we launched the disability support office to provide help and support for people with disabilities. So, we’ll soon be seeing different efforts at implementing certain things from this office”. It is also of note that the school is in the process of investing in assistive technology which it will unveil later.
