Maryam Umar, a 26-year-old woman from Gombe, Nigeria, has graduated with a degree in Economics from Gombe State University. Born without arms, Maryam had appealed for help in 2023 to complete her registration for admission into the university. Her story was published by The Punch newspaper, highlighting her struggles to raise the N81,322.50 required for her registration and school fees.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) intervened after reading about Maryam's plight in The Punch. The union awarded her a N1.68m scholarship to cover her academic and welfare needs throughout her university education. The scholarship, designed to last four years, included her feeding, transport, and academic allowance, as well as her yearly registration fees.
According to Professor Lawal Abubakar, the then Zonal Coordinator of ASUU's Bauchi Zone, the union's national leadership directed the Gombe State University branch to verify Maryam's situation. The verification process confirmed her story, and ASUU provided the scholarship to support her studies. Abubakar emphasized that the intervention was a result of The Punch's publication, which brought Maryam's situation to the attention of the union's national leadership.
Dr. Suleiman Jauro, the former Chairperson of ASUU's Gombe State University branch, commended The Punch for bringing Maryam's situation to public attention. He urged persons living with disabilities not to give up on their dreams, citing Maryam as an example of determination and resilience. Jauro also highlighted that the scholarship went beyond payment of school fees to providing assistive items, such as a voice recorder, specialized table and chair, and a laptop.
The support package provided by ASUU included a stipend of N130,000 per semester to cover Maryam's feeding and academic expenses. The union also provided her with necessary assistive items to pursue her studies. Maryam's journey from a young woman worried about poverty ending her university dream to a university graduate has highlighted the impact of journalism, institutional intervention, and determination in opening opportunities for persons living with disabilities.
Maryam expressed gratitude to her family, friends, ASUU, and others who supported her throughout her university journey. In a post marking the completion of her degree program, she thanked those who made her dream a reality and prayed for their reward. Her story has been celebrated as a testament to the power of determination and the impact of supportive interventions.
The successful completion of Maryam's Economics degree has been hailed as a milestone in promoting inclusivity and access to education for persons living with disabilities. Her story serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of institutional support and media attention in creating opportunities for marginalized individuals.
Key points
- Maryam Umar, a 26-year-old woman born without arms, graduates with a degree in Economics from Gombe State University after receiving a N1.68m scholarship from ASUU.
