In Nigeria, persons with albinism (PWA) continue to face a higher burden of health and social
challenges in the society compared with the general population. PWA experience multi-faceted
social injustices such as stigma, discrimination and exclusion from education, employment and
social participation. These injustices are driven by the Nigerian society because of sociocultural
perceptions and stereotypes associated with albinism which can be attributable to the lack of
adequate understanding of the condition.
This research aimed to understand how the realities of being a PWA in Nigeria could be
conceptualised based on their life experiences to develop a substantive theory of their social
wellbeing status. By adopting constructivist grounded theory methodology, forty-two in-depth
interviews were conducted amongst eleven PWA. Analysis identified three categories each of
which embodies the multiple realities of disadvantages and exclusion experienced within the
home, schooling, working and social environments at different stages of life. The concept of
‘Being different’ emerged from these categories to offer a theoretical explanation of what it
means to be a PWA in Nigeria. The realities of ‘being different’ constitute processual social
injustices for PWA because of how the Nigerian society is socio-culturally and institutionally
configured to magnify the limitations of albinism above the rights and social liberties of the
individual.
This research identified albinism as a disability and concluded that PWA are owed a moral and
ethical obligation by the Nigerian society for them to be able to access the liberties and support
necessary to secure their health and social wellbeing. The sustainable fulfilment of this moral
and ethical obligation necessitates an inter-institutional collaboration and vigilance that should
address the layers of injustices meted to PWA.
This study adds an original contribution to knowledge by offering a theoretical concept to
qualify the social status of PWA in Nigeria, and thus, could be useful to inform appropriate
health and social care interventions
