"Disability should never be a barrier": Meet Umar, a PhD graduate at 27
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Shamsiyyah Umar acquired a physical disability at age 10 after being struck by a car on Christmas Day, yet went on to pursue three university degrees
- Her mother passed away just months after she enrolled for her PhD, turning an already demanding academic journey into a deeply emotional one
- Alongside her studies, Shamsiyyah ran the We Are Special Foundation, which promotes inclusion for persons with disabilities across Africa
Shamsiyyah Umar, a 28-year-old disability rights advocate from Nasarawa State, completed her PhD in International Relations at just 27, earning all three of her degrees before turning 30 while simultaneously running her own foundation and navigating life with a physical disability.
Raised in Karu, Abuja, Umar grew up in a family she describes with both warmth and humour. Her mother gave birth to two sets of twins, making Shamsiyyah, who has a twin brother, the youngest of five siblings.
From a Last-Minute Course Choice to a 3.99 CGPA
Her path into academia began at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where she studied International Studies between 2015 and 2019, graduating with a remarkable CGPA of 3.99.
She returned to the same institution for a Master's in International Affairs and Diplomacy from 2021 to 2022, finishing with a CGPA of 4.08.
Her PhD at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, examined UNICEF's contribution to inclusive education for children with disabilities in Nigeria between 2015 and 2023.
Fittingly, she had not always intended to study International Relations at all.
"International Relations was actually a last-minute decision. During SS3, one of my classmates mentioned the course to me and I thought it sounded interesting. Somehow, I applied for it almost with my eyes closed, without fully knowing what I was getting myself into. But once I started studying International Studies, I fell in love with the course," she said.
The Accident, the Loss and What Kept Her Going
On Christmas Day when she was 10, Shamsiyyah was struck by a car driven by a 17-year-old boy who had taken his father's vehicle without permission. The accident left her reliant on a walking aid and shaped the direction of her life's work.
"Growing up with a disability has meant experiencing many of the challenges that persons with disabilities face, including accessibility barriers, stigma and misconceptions," she said.
University life brought those barriers into sharp focus. Classrooms and offices accessible only by staircase made daily academic life significantly more demanding than it was for her peers.
"During my first year especially, I felt like I was constantly trying to navigate the system and find my place. I was trying to prove that I belonged while also dealing with barriers that other students did not have to think about," she explained.
Grief compounded these challenges. Her mother, her most steadfast supporter, passed away just months after she enrolled for her PhD.
"My biggest motivation has always been my late mother. She passed away just a few months after I enrolled for my PhD, and that made the journey even more emotional for me. Whenever things became difficult, I reminded myself of her," she said.
Running her organisation, We Are Special Foundation, alongside research and bereavement required extraordinary resolve.
She is currently building an accessible technology platform under the AU-EU Youth Action Lab to connect persons with disabilities to opportunities, mentorship and essential services.
"I want my work to show that disability should never be a barrier to education, leadership, technology or achieving one's dreams," she said.
A Young Graduate Lands Job at Bank of America as Fixed Income Analyst
TUKO.co.ke reported earlier that Priscilla Agada, a young graduate of the University of Lagos, secured a role at Bank of America as a Fixed Income Trade Support Analyst after completing an internship with the multinational bank in 2024.
She later reflected on her first six months in the role, describing the experience as rewarding and highlighting the lessons she had gained while working in financial markets.
Source: Legit.ng
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.