ASUU Awards N1.68m Scholarship to Armless Graduate Maryam

Maryam Umar, a 26-year-old who was born without both arms, graduated from the Department of Economics at Gombe State University after receiving a N1.68 million scholarship from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). This scholarship was awarded following her appeal for financial assistance to cover her registration and school fees, which amounted to N81,322.50.

Maryam had secured admission to study Economics after completing her secondary education in 2022 and scoring 182 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Her plight was reported in The PUNCH, prompting Professor Lawal Abubakar, the then Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, to verify her situation.

The scholarship covers her academic and welfare needs, including feeding, transport, and yearly registration fees for the duration of her studies. Dr Suleiman Jauro, the former Chairperson of ASUU GSU, encouraged individuals with disabilities to pursue their dreams, citing Maryam as a symbol of determination and resilience.