FutureMap Foundation Sparks Innovation with Design Thinking in Nigeria
What began as a seemingly typical tech workshop for 50 participants at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria Abuja quickly evolved into a groundbreaking experience, promising to reshape Nigeria’s approach to innovation.
The three-day Design Thinking Workshop Series, spearheaded by the FutureMap Foundation, immersed attendees in an empathy-driven, collaborative, and human-centered problem-solving methodology that has left a lasting impact.
“We didn’t just learn to solve problems,” remarked a recent graduate from Lagos who participated in the workshop. “We learned to feel them first.”
The workshop brought together a diverse group of tech professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and government officials. Under the guidance of renowned facilitators like Mr. David Oyawoye and Amogah from Boxless, participants engaged in hands-on sessions, applying design thinking principles to real-world challenges.
A key focus of the workshop was building “creative confidence” — the conviction that everyone possesses the ability to innovate. Participants, organized into mini-teams, were tasked with identifying challenges related to electoral engagement and developing solutions through empathy mapping and “How Might We” framing.
“The moment you understand a user’s pain, your solution changes,” explained Mr. David, one of the facilitators. “It’s no longer about what’s easiest to build. It’s about what’s hardest to ignore.”
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This crucial shift in mindset was reinforced through sessions exploring empathy, storytelling, and the evolution of design from mere technical outputs to emotionally resonant solutions.
Participants delved into significant issues plaguing Nigerian society, including digital exclusion in rural communities, the absence of digital estate planning, and the disconnect between financial services and underserved populations. These challenges were not abstract; they were deeply personal. One participant shared a compelling story of a relative’s struggle to access mortgage financing, which prompted her to re-evaluate financial accessibility across Nigeria. Another highlighted how the elderly and visually impaired are often overlooked in technological advancements.
“We validated problems not just with assumptions, but through real stories,” stated Nafisah Rufai, the workshop lead. “It’s how you get innovation that actually matters.”
FutureMap Foundation’s ambition extends beyond a single event; they aim to spark a nationwide movement. The success of the Abuja workshop is just the beginning, with plans to expand the program, attract more sponsors, and replicate the model in other Nigerian states.
With strategic partnerships already established with organizations like ShiftUp Africa, Qorebox, and NITDA, FutureMap is laying the groundwork for a pan-African community of design thinkers. This community will be empowered to solve problems not from distant boardrooms, but from the lived realities of individuals.
“Design Thinking is not a buzzword,” affirmed Dr. Shuaib Sani, Director of Operations at FutureMap. “It’s a necessary survival tool in today’s Africa.”
Judging by the palpable energy and engagement witnessed in Abuja, the future of innovation in Nigeria is already well underway.
By PRNigeria
