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Aremu Mubarak, a 29-year-old graphic designer with a mobility impairment, shares his inspiring journey with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI on how she overcame obstacles and eventually pursued higher education
What was growing up like for you?
Growing up wasn’t easy; it was a significant change for me and my family. My mobility impairment, combined with living in a multi-storey building made navigating daily life as a wheelchair user quite challenging and inconvenient.
Can you share a bit about your childhood and the circumstances that led to your use of a wheelchair?
I am 29 years old, originally from Kwara State, but I was born and raised in Lagos State, where I still reside. I am the second of three children in my family. I have an older sister and a younger brother. I have a physical challenge that affects my mobility.
According to my parents, everything changed when I was two years old. At that age, I was healthy, had received all my immunizations, and had already started standing and taking my first steps. One day, I developed a fever, and my mother took me to a hospital, where a nurse administered an injection in the wrong vein.
A few days later, my parents noticed that the injection site on my buttock was swollen. They initially applied balm as first aid but decided to return to the hospital when the swelling didn’t subside. After an examination, the doctor delivered the devastating news: the injection had been given incorrectly, affecting the veins in my legs.
That moment marked a turning point for my family. They were heartbroken but determined to find a solution. My parents, lacking prior knowledge or resources, sought every possible remedy to help me walk again. They visited numerous places, including religious centres, but nothing worked.
Many promised I would walk again, but their efforts often came at a financial and emotional cost with no positive outcome. From using different treatments to performing traditional therapies and even marking my skin, my parents tried everything, but none of it was effective.
How did your family and friends support you while growing up, especially regarding your education and mobility?
When I was five years old, I was still crawling at home. My parents would strap me to their back to carry me around. This marked the beginning of their decision to ensure I got an education while searching for solutions to my condition.
I was enrolled in a primary school, and my mum and sister carried me to school daily on their back. Transportation wasn’t an option due to the narrow and busy streets of Lagos where we lived. It was hectic for them, but they never complained. Instead, they showed me love and acceptance.
At this stage, I started becoming aware of my reality. I was often the first to arrive at school and the last to leave. I endured many challenges, such as holding in my urine and faeces for hours because of the lack of facilities that suited my needs. I wanted to be seen as just another child; so, I endured silently.
In class, I moved around by using the tables and chairs, especially when my classmates had gone home. I didn’t have a wheelchair throughout my primary school years because my parents believed I would eventually walk. Despite these challenges, I graduated from LATRASH Private Primary School as one of their best students and the only special-needs student they had ever enrolled.
In 2007, I gained admission to King Ado Junior and Senior Secondary School. This was a new chapter of my life because the school was far from home. During this period, I got my first wheelchair, which made mobility easier but presented new challenges. Managing privacy when using the restroom or moving between classes required significant effort.
My presence in school drew the attention of teachers, students, and even people in the marketplace near the school. Some pitied me, while others were curious about my condition. Regardless, I stayed focused, knowing that the journey to and from school was harsh.
My sister, who attended a different school far from mine, would come to pick me up every day. We couldn’t use my wheelchair in our neighborhood because of the narrow streets and crowded markets. Instead, she carried me on her back. We faced pain, stress, and countless difficulties, but it became our routine. Most mornings, we left home as early as 5am to avoid the rush, especially since my mum had to leave for her trade.
In JSS 2, I was one of six students selected by the junior principal for a partial scholarship. The scholarship provided school supplies and one meal per day for each term, relieving some financial pressure on my parents. However, this support ended after JSS 3.
Later, my family relocated to another area where we could use motorcycles for transportation. Unfortunately, my mum lost her workplace when the Lagos State Government shut down several establishments.
Things became more challenging, and when motorcycles were eventually banned in Lagos, friends from school helped me get home. Despite these struggles, I completed secondary school in 2013 with joy after taking my WAEC exams.
What medical challenges did you face, and how did your family support you through them?
In 2002, my parents learned about Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital in Lagos, where I was tested for polio. My parents started taking me to appointments, and I was eventually provided with a plastic leg brace with leather straps extending from my legs to my chest. This brace was designed to straighten my legs but was extremely painful to wear.
As I grew, the materials for the brace were updated to match my size, and my parents spared no effort or expense in ensuring I got the necessary care. They covered costs for transport, therapy, and materials while continuing to encourage me.
I was scheduled for surgery when I turned 18. However, as my height and growth delayed the procedure, the doctor retired before it could be performed. A new doctor took over my case and informed us that surgery was no longer an option. My bones had grown too strong, and my veins had shortened, making surgery impossible. This was a hard reality for my parents to accept, and the money they had paid for the procedure was never refunded, even after they wrote to the hospital.
Despite this, my parents remained supportive, and we moved on. I could neither stand nor take steps, but their belief in me never wavered.
How did you pursue higher education, and what challenges did you face?
After secondary school, I took the JAMB exam and gained admission as a full-time student at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos. I studied Accounting Education, and this period marked a turning point in my life.
Being independent on campus with my wheelchair gave me a sense of achievement. However, the journey was not without challenges. My wheelchair broke at one point but was replaced by Mrs Akindele Titilola, a kind friend’s mum and a non-teaching staff member at the college.
After three years of hard work, I graduated in 2017, a moment of pride for my family and me. Following my graduation, I spent a year preparing for admission to UNILAG where I studied Business Administration. During this time, I also began teaching myself graphic design, equipping myself with additional skills for the future.
Why did you study Business Education at UNILAG?
I chose to further my studies through direct entry to the University of Lagos, where I pursued Business Education. My interest in business-related courses grew because they promote self-reliance and foster an entrepreneurial mindset.
Were there specific challenges you faced as a wheelchair user at UNILAG, and how did you overcome them?
Yes, I faced challenges similar to those I experienced in previous schools. These included adapting to a new environment, transportation issues, the long distances to lecture rooms, navigating stairs, and financial expenses, among others. However, with the help of God, my determination, and the support of friends, I overcame these obstacles.
Did you find any particular person or group at Unilag that significantly contributed to your success?
Yes, my friends and coursemates played a significant role in my success at UNILAG. They were incredibly supportive, assisting me with my wheelchair and helping me get to classes and other locations, no matter how far the distance was. God bless all my friends and everyone who stood by me.
In my final year, I received an electric wheelchair and an endowment scholarship from Dr Funmi Ayinke Humanity Foundation. This was facilitated by the former vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to my journey in one way or another. Your financial support, encouragement, and care mean a lot to me and my family. They have brought me closer to achieving my life goals.
What strategies have you developed to remain confident and motivated despite societal perceptions of disability?
Firstly, I had to accept myself for who I am. I embrace challenges as they come, do my best, and always believe in my abilities rather than focusing on my limitations. I’m already aware of the discrimination and challenges faced by individuals with physical disabilities. So, I focus on what I can do and the value I can bring to others.
I have become quite independent. I can cook, wash, handle minor electrical repairs, and even do carpentry work. I’m also actively engaged in activities like table tennis and indoor games. Additionally, I can wheel myself to some extent, and my hands and other parts of my body are active. It’s just my legs that aren’t functioning.
Were there moments when you felt like giving up?
Yes, there was a time during my secondary school years when the burden felt overwhelming. However, that phase is behind me now. My watchwords are ‘Never give up’ and ‘I am limitless’. These words keep me moving forward.
How did your colleagues and supervisors during NYSC treat you? Do you feel included and respected?
Yes, I was included in most activities, and I was never deprived or excluded at any point. In fact, they made things easier for me and showed me a lot of respect for being the only wheelchair user among them. I’m especially grateful to my L.G.I (Local Government Inspector) and colleagues for their support.
Are there specific skills or lessons you’ve learnt during your NYSC programme that you feel will be invaluable in the future?
Yes, I learnt a lot about the Sustainable Development Goals and inclusion through the NYSC Community Development Service. This inspired me to embark on a personal CDS project called ‘AccessAbility’. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about building an inclusive society and supporting underprivileged students.
Using online platforms, I raised awareness and later donated basic school materials to 120 newly enrolled JSS1 students in Lagos Island. This experience was eye-opening and taught me resilience, self-empowerment, and self-discovery. I graduated from the University of Lagos in 2023 due to the pandemic or ASUU strike. I successfully completed my NYSC on October 30, 2024.
How do you think society can better support wheelchair users and other persons with disabilities in Nigeria?
I believe society and the government should provide targeted care and support for people with disabilities where and when needed. There should be more emphasis on inclusion, awareness, and creating a safe environment with accessible building plans.
Many individuals in my situation face similar challenges, such as difficulty accessing places, buildings, transportation, and healthcare. Since learning about my condition, I have tried reaching out to various government platforms for assistance, but none have been successful.
I possess my LASTRA and LASODA, LASODA stands for the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs. LASTRA refers to the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency, yet I have not received any support. The government should invest more effort in empowering and creating jobs for people with physical challenges. Not everyone with a disability is lazy; I am a living testimony. I have the ability but no job opportunities.
Do you see yourself as an advocate for others living with disabilities? If yes, what message do you hope to share?
Yes, I do, and I will continue to champion this cause in my own way. My message to others is to have no limitations in their vision and to cultivate an empowered mindset. Your abilities are not diminished by others’ inability to see your worth.
What’s next for you?
Currently, I am preparing for my Master’s degree while continuing to upgrade my skill set as a brand identity and graphics designer, as well as an IT assistant. I am also hoping to secure a good job or an empowerment opportunity.
Has anyone ever mocked you before? Can you give an example?
Yes, I have faced mockery, especially in public spaces. For instance, when boarding public transport, I often get negative looks and comments. Some motorists are not patient with people with disabilities, and I’ve experienced situations where they asked me to pay for both my wheelchair and myself before I could get on the bus as if I had a choice in using walking aids. It’s very difficult, especially where I live.
Was there ever a time you felt depressed?
The greatest challenge I’ve faced is the place where I lived. I lived in a three-story building with narrow stairs, which made it difficult to move around. It was hard because this was where I spent most of my time.
What’s one dream you have that you’re actively working towards?
I’ve already achieved my primary goal, which was education, and I am now working towards my master’s degree. I am skilled in graphic design, brand identity development, and IT support. I’m looking for opportunities to apply my skills in education, IT, and design to help organisations grow. I’m also involved in para-athletic sports like wheelchair racing, and I am open to any work that doesn’t require the use of my legs. Thank you, and God bless PUNCH for giving me this opportunity.
