My name is Safiyanu Mohammed Umar, and I am the founder and CEO of Safyan Fashion Paradise.
I am a Deaf, goal-driven individual with an unwavering passion for promoting inclusivity and accessibility in services, workplaces, and beyond. Originally from Bauchi and currently residing in Kano, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Rehabilitation Science from the prestigious University of Jos. Alongside this, I’ve gained certifications in network administration, data analysis, and cybersecurity through Cisco Networking. I am currently seeking an internship opportunity that will immerse me deeply in the tech space through hands-on learning and experience.
My journey has not been typical. Between 2008 and mid-2009, I lived as a hearing person who felt aimless and lost. I had no direction, no dreams, and I couldn't even read in my native Hausa language. I was drifting, unaware of my potential or purpose. Then, after a brief illness, I became Deaf. This life-altering moment was my rebirth—a transformation that awakened something powerful within me.
Suddenly, I felt the urge to dream. I wanted to read, to write, to communicate. Determined to adapt and thrive, I enrolled in junior secondary school in Bauchi and later pursued a university education focused on special education in Bauchi State. One guiding light on this path was my Baffa (my father), Baffa, truly a gift from God. Whenever I made grammatical mistakes, he corrected me with care and candor: “It should be this, not that. Otherwise, you’ll ridicule yourself in public.” His honest feedback fueled me. It became the energy that pushed me forward.
From those early lessons to university graduation,and now running a fashion business while pursuing a career in tech, every step has been marked by determination and growth. I believe that when one door closes, another opens—and my journey is proof of that truth. Without a doubt, I’ve come this far by God’s mercy and endless love.
Becoming Deaf has shaped me into someone who dares to dream big and achieve even bigger. Yes, I’ve faced challenges, many of which are common to us all, but the ones tied to the hearing impaired are different. There have been times I’ve felt invisible, excluded, and underestimated. Misconceptions and prejudice have tried to shake me. But I never lost focus. Instead, they gave me strength. They inspired me. And they instilled in me a relentless refusal to be discouraged, defeated, or manipulated.
I am determined to prove that disability is not weakness. Through hard work, perseverance, and faith, I will keep pushing boundaries, and continue to rise.