The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has celebrated the exceptional academic achievements of two Nigerians with disabilities, Shamsiyyah Umar and Aminu Tijjani Muhammad, describing their accomplishments as evidence that disability should never be equated with inability.
Isa, in a congratulatory message, said the achievements of the two scholars demonstrated the remarkable capacity of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to excel when provided with access to education, opportunities and an enabling environment.
At 27, Umar, a disability rights advocate from Nasarawa State, has earned a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and PhD. She obtained a BSc in International Studies with a CGPA of 3.99, an MSc in International Affairs and Diplomacy with a CGPA of 4.08, and subsequently completed a PhD in International Relations.
Her academic journey was achieved against significant personal challenges. Umar acquired her physical disability following a road accident as a child and later lost her mother during her doctoral studies. Despite these setbacks, she persevered, channeling her experiences into advocacy for disability inclusion and equal opportunities.
Her doctoral research focused on UNICEF’s contribution to inclusive education for children with disabilities in Nigeria. She is also involved in the We Are Special Foundation, an initiative promoting opportunities and empowerment for persons with disabilities.
Similarly, Muhammad, a Nigerian scholar with a disability, graduated with First Class honours in Cybersecurity from City University Cambodia and was recognised as the Best Graduating Student in his class.
Isa said the accomplishments of Umar and Muhammad should serve as inspiration to young Nigerians, particularly PWDs, to pursue their aspirations without allowing societal barriers to limit their potential.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Presidency were proud of the scholars’ achievements, noting that their success stories align with the administration’s emphasis on human capital development, education and inclusion.
The Tinubu administration has continued to prioritise education under its Renewed Hope Agenda, with initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) aimed at expanding access to tertiary education, alongside investments in education infrastructure and skills development.
Isa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for PWDs and ensuring that disability inclusion remains an integral part of Nigeria’s national development agenda.
“The stories of Shamsiyyah Umar and Aminu Tijjani Muhammad remind us that sometimes the greatest barrier is not disability, but an environment that fails to recognise and accommodate ability,” Isa said.
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