Oladoyin Idowu wears many hats: assistant psychologist, psychosocial support consultant, mental wellness advocate, and operations lead at Serenity Nigeria. At 17 years old, she founded One Word Africa Foundation. Her work is rooted in equity, sustainability, and creating real impact for those often left behind. In this interview with Assistant Editor, EVELYN OSAGIE, she speaks on her journey to empower dyslexics in Nigeria and more.
The inspiration behind my One Word Africa Foundation and dyslexia advocacy
Honestly, it all began with a personal struggle. I discovered I had dyslexia in 2015, and it changed my life. At that point, I had already gone through so much from academic frustration, self-doubt, anxiety, and years of feeling like I was just not enough.
But discovering I had dyslexia gave me an identity. It helped me understand that I wasn’t lazy or stupid. I just learned differently. By 2016, I had started sharing my story online, and the response was overwhelming. People were reaching out; adults, parents, teachers, saying things like, “This sounds like me” or “This sounds like my child.”
That’s when I knew this wasn’t just about me. It was bigger. So, I started One Word Africa Foundation in year 2016, when I was 17 years old, to push for awareness, support, and dignity for people with dyslexia, especially in Nigeria where conversations around learning difficulties are still very limited.
My personal experience that shaped my advocacy
What started for me as an academic struggle eventually compounded into mental health struggles, terrible imposter syndrome, anxiety disorder, and self-esteem issues. The way society responded to my inability to learn; in school, at home, everywhere made me internalize a lot of negativity.
Because of that, our advocacy at One Word Africa is holistic. We don’t just focus on helping people read better, we pay attention to the emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of dyslexia. We want to heal the whole person. That perspective is what makes our intervention programs effective.
Growing up that impact the woman I became
Growing up was challenging, especially as I struggled with my identity. But even in that uncertainty, one thing was always clear, my sense of empathy. From a young age, I have always been someone who cared deeply for others, stood up for people, and found joy in seeing others happy. That quality has shaped the woman I have become. It shows up in my work, my advocacy, and my desires to build systems that help people not just survive, but thrive. At the heart of everything I do is a simple mission: to contribute to people’s happiness and make life easier and more meaningful for those around me.
Being a woman, to you?
To me, being a woman means holding the power to give life, not just biologically, but in the way we nurture people, ideas, and communities. It means being a legacy builder and a changemaker. As a woman navigating spaces like neurodiversity and advocacy, I see it as a privilege to challenge stereotypes and redefine what’s possible. For me, womanhood is an open canvas, a template through which I can drive positive change, mentor younger women, and contribute meaningfully to nation-building and the future.
Beauty to me
To me, beauty is coming into your essence, truly knowing and being comfortable in your own skin. It’s about self-awareness, recognizing your identity, your power, and being proud of the person you are becoming. Beauty is the ability to behold yourself, not just in the mirror, but in your thoughts, your values, and your growth.
It’s both internal and external: doing the self-work to improve your mindset, your appearance, and how you carry yourself. Beauty is dressing in a way that reflects your body, your style, and your truth, without needing anyone else’s validation. It’s loving what you see and who you are, because you have taken the time to truly know yourself.
My hope for the future of dyslexia advocacy in Nigeria and across Africa
I want to see policy change; bills passed that mandate screening and support for dyslexic learners. I want inclusion to be built into our education and workplace frameworks, not something we have to beg for. I want to see more research done in Nigeria, by Nigerians, so that when we quote statistics, they reflect our actual realities.
And I want to see cross-African partnerships, for us to develop frameworks that work in our own context. We need to build systems that understand our culture, our schools, our families. Ultimately, I want to see a world where dyslexics can thrive, where they’re not just surviving, but actually flourishing.
My professional journey outside of the NGO
It’s been a beautiful journey of growth. I started out as the struggling student no one believed in, I couldn’t read properly, teachers were frustrated with me, and I honestly felt like I wouldn’t amount to much. But after my diagnosis, I decided to go back to school to study psychology, and I ended up graduating as one of the top five in my class.
Since then, I have written and published research on dyslexia, obtained multiple certifications in dyslexia and mental health, and worked across different settings. I currently serve as an assistant psychologist at Serenity Nigeria and consult on various mental health projects. I have also worked on psychosocial support frameworks for women in internally displaced camps and people in low-resource settings. I am passionate about building systems that are scalable, inclusive, and accessible to the people who need them most.
My books
Yes! I am so excited about my two books I’m writing.
The first is a children’s storybook called Audrey’s Amazing Adventure. It’s basically my story, but simplified for children. It’s about encouraging kids to dream big, push through struggles, and believe that their challenges don’t define them.
The second is a memoir titled Redefining Dyslexia: My Path to Leadership. It’s my story from the beginning ; growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia, navigating school, discovering myself, building One Word Africa, and becoming a leader in this space. I wanted to encourage an underdog by showing them that the child everyone thought wouldn’t amount to anything can actually go on to make impact.
Biggest challenge people with dyslexia still face in Nigeria
Support is the biggest issue. People either can’t access resources, or the ones available are too expensive or too complicated to understand. A lot of families don’t even know where to start. There are very few dyslexia-focused organisations in Nigeria, and even fewer that offer free support.
My fashion style
My fashion style is evolving. I am currently learning to understand what truly suits me, learning to dress for my body type, choosing colors that compliment my skin tone, and embracing outfits that make me feel confident and authentic. I have become more intentional about what I wear, and that shift has made a big difference in how I carry myself. One of my favorite fashion choices is African print, especially Adiré. I love how versatile and expressive it is, whether it’s styled into a flowing boubou, a chic two-piece, or a midi dress. Adiré gives me comfort, elegance, and a cultural identity. I love outfits that are loose yet stylish, they allow me to move freely while still looking put together. Overall, comfort is my priority, especially for my day-to-day work, public speaking engagements, or meetings. But I also enjoy being unpredictable with my fashion, I like the idea that you never know what look I will show up with next. Whether it’s traditional, edgy, or soft and minimalist, I love having that freedom to express the different layers of who I am.
Fashion item I cannot do without
Honestly, my glasses! I can switch up my clothes, shoes, and accessories, but my glasses are non-negotiable. I literally can’t see without them, so they are both a necessity and, over time, they have become part of my signature look. So yes, glasses first, fashion follows.
Relaxation
While I am involved with people through my work, I am also someone who values solitude. I cherish my quiet moments, whether that’s a spa day, sleeping in, or watching a good movie, as a way to recharge and stay grounded.
What’s next for me
That is a really exciting question. I am stepping into authorship, I am about to publish books that are very dear to my heart: My Dyslexia Story. There will be a version for children and another for adults, and both are aimed at raising awareness, offering hope, and changing the narrative around dyslexia in Nigeria and beyond. Alongside that, I am formally launching a neurodiversity consultation firm. While I have consulted informally with families and schools for years, I am now building a structured platform to offer professional services, supporting parents, educators, and organizations in understanding and helping individuals with learning difficulties. It’s a natural progression of the work I have done for nearly a decade, and I am excited to see it grow.
