Designing Okuma: A Digital Health Tool for Type 2 Diabetes in Nigeria

Type 2 Diabetes represents a growing health crisis in low-resource settings, particularly in Nigeria, where cultural and socio-economic factors complicate care. Traditional design approaches in this context often replicate Western methods, failing to capture the unique contextual experiences of diverse populations. Furthermore, there is a recurring transfer of innovation from Western contexts to Nigeria, which can result in design solutions that do not resonate with local users, limiting their relevance and effectiveness in addressing the specific challenges faced by communities. To address these gaps, we conducted two interconnected studies: the first focused on distributed design workshops with 19 participants—including people with Type 2 Diabetes, caregivers, and pharmacists—and the second involved the evaluation of the prototype with 30 different participants. In this contribution, we highlight the pressing needs for enhanced T2D education, nutritional guidance, and improved communication, offering recommendations for optimizing their delivery within the digital health landscape of Nigeria.