Maryam Umar graduates from Gombe State University with ASUU scholarship

Maryam Umar, a 26-year-old woman born without arms, has graduated with a degree in Economics from Gombe State University. Her academic journey was made possible through a ₦1.68 million scholarship provided by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Umar initially faced significant financial barriers after securing admission in 2022 with a score of 182 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Her parents were unable to afford the ₦81,322.50 required for her initial registration and fees. Following media reports regarding her situation, ASUU's national leadership directed the Gombe State University branch to verify her circumstances.

The scholarship covered academic and welfare needs, including registration fees, transport, and feeding. Additionally, the union provided assistive tools such as a laptop, a voice recorder, and specialized furniture to support her studies. Umar, who performs daily tasks and writes using her toes, completed the four-year programme with the support of these resources.