Twenty-six-year-old Maryam Umar, who was born without both arms, has graduated with a degree in Economics from Gombe State University after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) intervened to support her education.
Umar’s journey to graduation began with a financial challenge that threatened to end her university dream before it started.
After completing her secondary education in 2022, she gained admission to study Economics at Gombe State University and scored 182 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). However, she struggled to raise the ₦81,322.50 required for her registration and fees at the time.
Umar had appealed to members of the public, government agencies and non-governmental organisations for assistance after her parents were unable to afford the cost.
The PUNCH subsequently reported her situation after verifying her admission and learning of the financial difficulties threatening her enrolment.
The report attracted the attention of ASUU’s national leadership, which directed the union’s Gombe State University branch to verify Umar’s circumstances.
Following the verification, ASUU awarded her a scholarship worth ₦1.68 million to support her throughout the four-year degree programme.
The then ASUU Zonal Coordinator for the Bauchi Zone, Professor Lawal Abubakar, said the scholarship was intended to cover her academic and welfare needs, including registration fees, feeding, transport and academic expenses.
The support also extended beyond tuition and registration.
According to former ASUU Gombe State University branch chairperson, Dr Suleiman Jauro, the union provided some assistive items Umar needed to pursue her studies, including a voice recorder, specialised table and chair, and a laptop.
She was also to receive a stipend of ₦130,000 per semester to support her feeding and academic expenses.
Jauro described Umar as an example of determination and resilience and encouraged other persons living with disabilities not to abandon their educational ambitions.
Years after the intervention, Umar has now completed her Economics degree at Gombe State University.
In a message celebrating her graduation, the new graduate expressed gratitude to her family, friends, ASUU and others who supported her throughout her university education.
“I’m grateful to those who made this dream a reality,” she said, praying that Allah would reward those who supported her with paradise.
Umar’s journey from fearing that financial hardship would end her university education to graduating with a degree has highlighted the potential impact of timely intervention, disability-inclusive support and journalism that brings overlooked stories to public attention.
Her experience also demonstrates that support for students with disabilities can extend beyond tuition assistance to include the practical resources required to participate meaningfully in higher education.
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