Maryam Umar, who was born without both arms, has graduated in Economics from Gombe State University. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) paid her way through school with a N1.68m scholarship.
The 26-year-old completed her degree years after a news report drew the union’s attention to her struggle. She writes and does household chores with her toes.
From Admission to Appeal
Maryam finished secondary school in 2022. She scored 182 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and earned four NECO credits, including English and Mathematics. She then won admission to study Economics at Gombe State University.
Money nearly stopped her. Her parents, who live in BCGA, Gombe, could not afford the N81,322.50 she needed for registration and fees.
In 2023, she appealed to Nigerians, government agencies and NGOs for help. “I’m appealing to public-spirited individuals to support me so that I don’t waste this opportunity,” she said at the time.
The PUNCH checked her admission letter before publishing her story.
How ASUU Stepped In
The union’s national leadership saw the report and acted. It told the ASUU branch at Gombe State University to verify her situation. The branch confirmed the story was true.
Professor Lawal Abubakar, then the union’s Bauchi Zone coordinator, spoke for the ASUU President. He said the union promised to make Maryam its “daughter” and cover the costs of her studies.
What the Scholarship Covered
The N1.68m package ran for her four years of study. It paid for her feeding, transport, academic allowance and yearly registration fees.
The union also bought items suited to her disability. These included a voice recorder, a specialised table and chair, and a laptop. In addition, she received a N130,000 stipend each semester for food and academic costs.
“Believe in What You Can Do”
Dr Suleiman Jauro, then chairman of the ASUU branch at the university, urged people with disabilities not to give up. He called Maryam an example of determination and resilience.
“Believe in what you can do,” he said. He added that she wanted education and was doing everything to get it.
Jauro also credited The PUNCH. Without the report, he said, the union would not have known she existed or that she needed help.
Graduate Says Thank You
Maryam marked her graduation with a social media post, which Arewa PUNCH obtained on Sunday. She thanked her family, friends and ASUU, along with others who stood by her.
“I’m grateful to those who made this dream a reality,” she wrote. She prayed that Allah would reward them all with paradise.
Her journey shows what journalism, institutional support and personal resolve can do for persons living with disabilities.
