Disability or Determination? What One UNILAG Student’s Journey Teaches Nigeria About Resilience and Inclusive Education

Akahi News learnt that Ogunsua-Dixon Tijesuni, a visually impaired 100-level Mass Communication student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has shared the extraordinary journey that saw her overcome a brain tumour, multiple surgeries and years of rehabilitation before emerging as the highest-performing matriculating candidate in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Equal Opportunity Group for Persons with Disabilities.

Akahi News gathered that Tijesuni, who is from Ondo State, scored 288 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and achieved an aggregate score of 81.2 per cent, earning the top position in the disability category. She was recently honoured at the maiden Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Awards, where she was recognised alongside six other outstanding matriculating students. Her story reveals years of perseverance after being diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 11, gradually losing her sight and eventually undergoing life-saving surgery.

What Exactly Has Changed

This story is far more than an account of academic excellence. It is a powerful reflection on resilience, inclusive education and the often-overlooked potential of persons living with disabilities.

Tijesuni’s achievement challenges one of society’s most damaging assumptions—that disability automatically limits academic excellence. Instead, her success demonstrates that talent, determination and intellectual ability are not defined by physical limitations but by opportunities, support and perseverance.

Her experience also exposes important gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare and education systems. According to her account, her parents delayed surgery partly to avoid interrupting her education, while her condition deteriorated until she eventually lost her sight. Although every medical case is unique, the story raises broader questions about timely access to specialised healthcare, financial support for families facing major illnesses and better integration between health and education systems.

The role of family support is equally significant. Throughout years of medical challenges, rehabilitation and educational adjustments, sustained encouragement from her parents and others helped keep her academic aspirations alive. Behind many remarkable success stories are families, teachers and mentors who refuse to give up on a child’s potential.

The achievement also highlights the importance of inclusive educational policies. The JAMB Equal Opportunity Group provides a framework through which candidates with disabilities can compete fairly while receiving appropriate accommodations. Such initiatives strengthen educational equity by ensuring that disability does not become a barrier to accessing higher education.

Another important lesson concerns public perception. Too often, stories involving persons with disabilities focus solely on sympathy. While empathy is important, genuine inclusion requires recognising competence, achievement and leadership rather than defining individuals only by their challenges.

For Nigerian universities, Tijesuni’s admission should encourage continued investment in accessible learning environments, assistive technologies, inclusive teaching methods and disability support services. Academic excellence flourishes when institutions remove unnecessary barriers to learning.

Ultimately, this is not simply the story of a blind student overcoming adversity. It is a reminder that resilience, opportunity and determination can transform even the most difficult circumstances into remarkable achievements. Nigeria’s greatest resource remains its people, especially when every citizen is given the opportunity to realise their full potential.

Five Things Every Nigerian Should Know

1. Disability does not define ability. Persons living with disabilities can excel academically when given equal opportunities.
2. Early medical intervention matters. Timely healthcare can significantly influence long-term quality of life.
3. Inclusive education benefits society. Accessible learning environments allow talent to flourish regardless of physical limitations.
4. Family and mentorship are invaluable. Strong support systems often make extraordinary achievements possible.
5. Academic excellence requires resilience. Success is frequently built through perseverance rather than favourable circumstances alone.

Reflective Questions Worth Sitting With

i. How can Nigeria improve educational opportunities for students living with disabilities?

ii. What more should government do to support families facing serious childhood illnesses?

iii. How can universities become more accessible to students with different forms of disability?

iv. Why do many people continue to underestimate the abilities of persons living with disabilities?

v. What lessons can young Nigerians draw from Tijesuni’s determination and resilience?

vi. How can society move beyond sympathy towards genuine inclusion and equal opportunity?

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i. Governments should strengthen healthcare support for children requiring specialised medical treatment.

ii. Educational institutions should continue expanding disability-inclusive infrastructure and learning resources.

iii. Scholarships and financial assistance should be increased for outstanding students living with disabilities.

iv. Public awareness campaigns should promote inclusion while challenging stereotypes about disability.

v. Families should continue encouraging children facing physical challenges to pursue their educational aspirations.

vi. Private organisations should invest more in programmes that recognise and support exceptional students with disabilities.

Questions And Answers: Breaking Down the Development

Who is affected?

i. Ogunsua-Dixon Tijesuni.

ii. Students living with disabilities across Nigeria.

iii. The University of Lagos.

iv. JAMB and institutions promoting inclusive education.

v. Families supporting children with disabilities.

What happened?

i. Tijesuni shared how she overcame a brain tumour and blindness to excel academically.

ii. She emerged as the highest-performing matriculating candidate in JAMB’s Equal Opportunity Group for Persons with Disabilities.

iii. She scored 288 in the 2025 UTME and an aggregate of 81.2 per cent.

iv. She was honoured at the Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Awards.

When did it happen?

i. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 11.

ii. Her achievement was publicly highlighted and recognised in July 2026.

Where did it happen?

i. She is currently studying at the University of Lagos.

ii. She is originally from Ondo State, while her educational journey has taken place across different parts of Nigeria.

Why is this important?

i. It demonstrates the power of resilience despite severe health challenges.

ii. It promotes disability inclusion in education.

iii. It highlights the importance of family support and equal opportunity.

iv. It inspires young Nigerians to persevere through adversity.

How will it proceed?

i. Tijesuni will continue her studies in Mass Communication at UNILAG.

ii. Her story is likely to inspire wider conversations about disability inclusion and educational access.

iii. Institutions may strengthen support systems for students with disabilities.

iv. Her achievement may encourage other young Nigerians facing adversity to pursue their academic ambitions with confidence.