My name is Nasiru Umar. I am from the village of Boshikiri in Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State. I was affected by polio when I was three years old, which left me physically challenged.
I attended both primary and secondary school at the Special Education Center in Jada, Adamawa State. I completed my secondary education in 2016, but due to life’s challenges, I was unable to continue.
Being a person with special needs in our kind of environment is tough, especially when your parents struggle financially. That was my reality. I faced many obstacles just to pursue my education. I began school in my village before I was transferred to the special school. I had no mobility aid, and reaching school meant pushing through scorching sun or muddy roads after rain. But I kept going, driven by the desire to be educated like everyone else.
Today, I remain at home since completing secondary school. But I refuse to let my disability stop me. I have a skill, I repair mobile phones, something I’ve been passionate about since childhood. Though I don’t have a shop yet, I work from home, and Alhamdulillah, I earn a decent living through this work.
My biggest dream is to further my education, and eventually open a large repair shop where I can also teach young people the skills I’ve learned. I believe through this, I can create real change in my community.
To my fellow persons with disability, I say: stop seeing yourself as worthless. You are not defined by your limitations, you are defined by your determination. Show the world the gifts that God has given you. Every time I see another person with special needs go to school or become self-reliant, I feel inspired and hopeful that someday I, too, can be a role model.
Society may sometimes see persons with disabilities as unproductive or useless, but that perception is wrong. We have unique talents, and if given the opportunity, we will amaze everyone. If I had the privilege to be a person of influence, I would ensure that every person with a disability has access to education and meaningful work. I would help create opportunities, not just sympathy.
My personal mantra is: “Believe in yourself even when no one else does.” There will be times when others doubt your abilities, dismiss your dreams, or overlook your potential. In those moments, belief in yourself becomes your greatest power. Trust your journey, even when you walk it alone. Confidence isn’t about having everyone on your side, it’s about standing firm in who you are, no matter what others think or say. Your faith in yourself will take you farther than anyone’s approval ever could.
If my life were a movie, it would be titled My Tears. And if I could describe it in a hashtag, it would be #BurdenedHeart—because I’ve faced great suffering in my educational journey.
Initiatives like the Empowerment Hub of DADE Foundation can change lives. First, they give people with disabilities the chance to speak out, share their stories, and feel seen. This builds confidence and self-worth. Second, they provide training, support, and partnerships with key stakeholders, such as employers and donors, that help people pursue their dreams. Most importantly, they bring the attention of the public at large to the truth: persons with disabilities have talent and potential like anyone else. What we need is opportunity, not pity.
This is how we build an inclusive society—one where every person is respected, valued, and empowered to contribute.