How UNILAG’s Inclusive Support Enabled My Journey from Blindness to Academic Success – Yetunde Banjo

By Olukotun, Ibrahim Enitan

For Yetunde Banjo, the morning of her 20s would have looked brighter if she had not lost her sight. She woke up one day in late 2010 to a terrifying reality: her vision in her left eye had vanished overnight, and within weeks, both eyes clouded, plunging her into darkness.

Yetunde’s world, which had once held bright prospects with ambitious future plans and dreams, suddenly became a shadowy realm of uncertainty. “I went to the General Hospital,” she remembers, “and they gave me a three-month follow-up, but by then it was too late; my vision in both eyes had already faded.”

Yetunde’s first experience with blindness was not just the loss of sight but the loss of direction. Her family took her to various specialists, and at the Eye Foundation Hospital in Ikeja, she was diagnosed with retinal detachment. Though she received prescriptions, her vision did not return. “By 2011, it was clear that nothing was changing,” she recalls. They said they could still help with my right eye, but it was incredibly expensive, and my family had already spent so much,” Yetunde says. Soon after, her father passed away, adding to the weight of her sorrow and financial difficulties.

Yetunde spent the next seven years isolated at home. “All I did was listen to the radio. I felt like life was passing me by,” she says. That loneliness changed when, listening to the radio one day, she heard an announcement for a medical outreach at Gbagada General Hospital. Inspired, she went there with her mother, and a nurse suggested she enroll in a school for the blind to regain her independence. This small but sincere encouragement sparked a new determination in Yetunde.

However, her journey to find a suitable school was not without obstacles. Batchelli School for the Blind turned her away because she was over 20, but she did not let that stop her. She eventually found the Vocational Training Centre in Oshodi, where she learned mobility skills, computer literacy, and other vocational trades. The experience renewed hope that was almost lost completely. She finished her training in 2017 and later joined the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for a brief stint in radio presentation.

With this new adventure, Yetunde dared to dream bigger: she wanted a university degree. She prepared for and passed her JAMB examination, gaining admission to study Early Childhood Education at the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG). “I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was ready to try,” she recalls, knowing that a university campus would present unique challenges for someone navigating life without sight.

UNILAG, however, proved to be a blessing. The university’s support system made all the difference for Yetunde. Recognizing her as a person with a disability, UNILAG offered her certain concessions that made academic life more accessible. “They gave us special access to hostels without the usual ballot process. I also received additional support services, which made it much easier to focus on my studies,” she says.

Despite these supports, there were still the daily challenges of university life. Getting from her hostel to her classroom, a routine task for many, required Yetunde to rely on the kindness of fellow students. “I had to depend on others for many things, but it taught me humility and the power of community,” she says. Over time, Yetunde grew more resilient and adapted to the new rhythms of campus life, balancing her studies with her need for assistance.

UNILAG’s efforts to create an inclusive environment enabled Yetunde to not only cope but thrive. “They made it possible for me to study just like anyone else,” she reflects, acknowledging the transformative power of UNILAG’s policies for students with disabilities. The concessions, the supportive community, and the university’s commitment to accessibility all played a crucial role in her success. Through the guidance of lecturers, friends, and mentors, Yetunde found herself not merely surviving but excelling.

Looking back on her journey, Yetunde is filled with gratitude. “I thank God that I didn’t drop out, even when it felt so overwhelming,” she says with a sense of pride that comes from hard-won victories. For her, completing her degree in Early Childhood Education was more than an academic achievement—it was a personal triumph over the adversity and vicissitude of life that once seemed insurmountable.

As Yetunde steps forward, she carries with her a mission to give back. “If I can help someone who is feeling lost, like I once did, I’ll consider it a success,” she says. In her heart, Yetunde is more than just a graduate; she is a testament to resilience, the impact of community support, and the power of inclusive education. She hopes that her story will inspire others—those who are struggling and the institutions, like the exemplary UNILAG that support them.