In Nigeria, students with visual impairments face significant disadvantages in visually intensive subjects such as geography, primarily due to a lack of specialized instructional materials. To address this gap, this master's thesis presents the development of the first Tactile Atlas of Nigeria, specifically designed for secondary school students with visual impairments.

The research commenced with a baseline survey of selected inclusive schools in Nigeria, which revealed that 71% lacked tactile maps, although all students expressed willingness to use them if available. A comprehensive literature review on tactile cartography identified microcapsule (swell) paper as the most practical and reproducible production method. Using authoritative datasets, 40 thematic and political maps and charts were designed across multiple scales (World, Africa, Nigeria). The design process adhered to best practices in tactile generalization, employing distinct hatch patterns, simplified boundary lines, 24-point Braille, and low-saturation colour fills to support both low-vision users and sighted educators.

The prototypes underwent a rigorous multi-phase user testing framework and review by experts and thesis supervisor. The study shows that the Tactile Atlas of Nigeria is a functional and highly effective educational tool. However, its large-scale adoption requires urgent systemic interventions, including strategic investment in tactile production infrastructure and comprehensive teacher training programs.