My name is Sulaiman Zubairu. I was born on January 17, 1966, in Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State. I grew up there and began my primary education in 1972. Unfortunately, one day I fell ill, and my father took me to the hospital where an injection led to the loss of my right leg. As a result, I was admitted to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, where I spent six months without improvement. My case was later transferred to ABU Hospital in Kaduna, where I stayed for nearly three months. A young European doctor then advised my father to transfer me to the University College Hospital in Ibadan. I spent one year and six months there, and it was in Ibadan that I first began using a wheelchair, and later, crutches.
When I returned home, I was determined to continue school because my peers had gone far ahead. However, my father, advised by a neighbor, insisted that I remain at home since the school was far and no one could take responsibility for accompanying me daily. I cried, but no one listened. Every day, I watched my colleagues go to school, and my heart longed to join them. One day, I decided to go to the school on my own. By luck, it was an enrollment day. I went straight to the ward head, who was supervising the process, and told him that I wanted to be enrolled. He was very happy and personally took me to the Headmaster, who registered me immediately. When I got home and told my father, he said, “Since you can do it yourself, go ahead.” From that day, I continued school in hardship, without any support, financing myself through small work like cutting and selling grass for horse owners.
I completed primary school and proceeded to boarding secondary school in 1981. However, around 1982–1983, the Governor of Kaduna State announced the closure of all boarding schools due to lack of funds to feed students. We were all transferred to the nearest day schools in our hometowns. This became a setback for me because the nearest secondary school was 15–20 km away, an impossible distance to trek daily with my condition. By God’s mercy, my father eventually recognized my determination and ability. He instructed one of my elder brothers, who worked with the Nigerian Railway and passed by the school daily, to take me to school every morning. My father himself would pick me up after closing hours. With this support, I was able to finish secondary school around 1987–1988.
Afterwards, I joined the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) as a motor mechanic trainee. I learned extensively in the garage where I was posted, mastering skills like dismantling and reassembling Peugeot engines. When I saved some money, I gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for a Diploma in Journalism. However, my father discouraged me from pursuing it, fearing the risks involved due to my disability. I eventually switched to and completed a Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Management.
After graduation, I secured employment with the National Population Commission (NPC), where I worked for two years, traveling across many states of the federation. Despite my disability, I worked tirelessly, day and night, until I left in January 1992 after the census exercise. In 1993, I got an appointment with the Nigerian Bottling Company Plc (Coca-Cola) in Kano as a Store Clerk. By 1995, I was promoted to Assistant Storekeeper, and over the years, I attended several trainings in Lagos, Enugu, Benin, and other places. Eventually, I rose to the position of Spare Parts Store Manager before resigning in 2006.
Through all these experiences, my disability has never been a limitation. I do not see it as something that should make me tired or unable to work. On the contrary, I have always had the passion and determination to take on difficult tasks, sometimes even more than those considered “normal.” I am proud that I have consistently proven my ability to work hard and perform excellently in everything I do.
The major challenge I faced came after I left my job at Coca-Cola, as I have not been able to find another suitable job like that until now. I first joined a small beverage company that produced juice and water. I used the talent and experience I gained from Coca-Cola to promote and grow that company. However, due to poor management, my efforts were not recognized. I brought in many customers, personally went into the market to advertise our products, and offered incentives that attracted the attention of marketers. I even took the company to the Kano International Trade Fair, where I sold our products in large volumes. Despite these contributions, the management gave me no recognition, and eventually, the company was sold to other people.
In 2007, my brother informed me that Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria had advertised vacancies for people with computer science backgrounds, and he encouraged me to apply. I did so and was invited to sit for the aptitude test. There were about 200 candidates, with 100 questions to be answered in one hour. I completed mine in 35 minutes with full confidence that I had passed. Later, I was invited for an interview, but it turned out to be one of the biggest barriers I have ever faced. When I entered the hall, I saw about seven interviewers seated. The first one asked me for my documents, which I handed over. After checking them carefully, he looked at me and asked, “With this physical challenge, how did you manage to do all this work?” I replied that I could even do more if only given the opportunity. He then asked, “Who sent you here?” I told him I saw the advertisement myself and applied. He continued, “Nobody stood for you?” I said no. He passed my documents to another interviewer, who, with very hurtful words, asked, “With this deficiency, how can you work with normal people?” I replied, “Only God knows how I can do it.” He dismissed me immediately and said, “Okay, go.” Up till today, I was never given the appointment. That experience exposed me to serious barriers and a lack of inclusiveness.
A few years later, ABU Zaria gave me a daily wage appointment in 2013, paying ₦350 per day. I had no choice but to accept, despite the hardship and rising cost of living. At first, I felt discouraged whenever I remembered I had to go there, but my mother encouraged me to keep going. Just like at Coca-Cola, I took my work seriously and was later appointed as a Computer Analyst in the Livestock Department. I developed a program that helped track and identify all animals. It monitored egg production, fish stock, fingerlings, and dairy output, including the daily liters of milk produced by each cow. With this program, the Head of Department (HOD) could monitor the department’s activities from home. Despite these innovations and contributions, when it came time to convert casual staff to permanent staff, the Director refused to appoint me. My HOD presented all my documents, achievements, and contributions to the department, but the Director would not listen. All my colleagues who were casual workers at that time were converted to permanent staff, but I was excluded. With no other option, I had to leave the job.
My greatest passion is working with computers. I enjoy applying my computer skills wherever I find myself, and many NGOs have encouraged me in this area. I have received several opportunities because of this skill. For example, during my work in the Livestock Section at ABU Zaria, my knowledge of computers made it possible for me to develop programs that improved record-keeping and management. Up to today, whenever they conduct quarterly stock checks, they still call me to provide technical advice. One of my hobbies is horse riding and polo. I truly enjoy riding and playing with horses. When I am on horseback, you may not even realize that I am physically challenged unless you already know me. I strongly hope to gain opportunities that will allow me to support young people with disabilities in their studies and personal development. Many are misled by peers or discouraged by parents at home, but access to education can empower them to face future challenges. I would guide them away from street begging, which only limits their progress. For those in rural areas where schools are far from their homes, I would provide mobility support if I had the funding, to ensure they can reach school and continue their education. People know me best for my passion and experience in computer work, a skill I began developing during my time at Coca-Cola. This led to my appointment by Professor M. B. Shitu in 2016 as a temporary secretary for his associations, Inclusive Education and Development Association (ICEADA) and Inclusive Development Practitioner (ICDP). I worked with him until 2018, when the project ended, but I continued to use his office and support his initiatives voluntarily. Later, Professor Auwal Halilu, founder of the NGO Non-Formal Development for Education, Health and Initiative (NDEHI), appointed me as Administrator and Secretary with full support. I have worked with him since 2014, and he has always encouraged me, provided opportunities, and treated me with respect. Through his mentorship, I attended important programs, such as the Path 2 conference in Abuja, which gave me wider recognition. Together, we were also engaged in the MNCH2 project in Kano.
When I returned home, I was determined to continue school because my peers had gone far ahead. However, my father, advised by a neighbor, insisted that I remain at home since the school was far and no one could take responsibility for accompanying me daily. I cried, but no one listened. Every day, I watched my colleagues go to school, and my heart longed to join them. One day, I decided to go to the school on my own. By luck, it was an enrollment day. I went straight to the ward head, who was supervising the process, and told him that I wanted to be enrolled. He was very happy and personally took me to the Headmaster, who registered me immediately. When I got home and told my father, he said, “Since you can do it yourself, go ahead.” From that day, I continued school in hardship, without any support, financing myself through small work like cutting and selling grass for horse owners.
I completed primary school and proceeded to boarding secondary school in 1981. However, around 1982–1983, the Governor of Kaduna State announced the closure of all boarding schools due to lack of funds to feed students. We were all transferred to the nearest day schools in our hometowns. This became a setback for me because the nearest secondary school was 15–20 km away, an impossible distance to trek daily with my condition. By God’s mercy, my father eventually recognized my determination and ability. He instructed one of my elder brothers, who worked with the Nigerian Railway and passed by the school daily, to take me to school every morning. My father himself would pick me up after closing hours. With this support, I was able to finish secondary school around 1987–1988.
Afterwards, I joined the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) as a motor mechanic trainee. I learned extensively in the garage where I was posted, mastering skills like dismantling and reassembling Peugeot engines. When I saved some money, I gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for a Diploma in Journalism. However, my father discouraged me from pursuing it, fearing the risks involved due to my disability. I eventually switched to and completed a Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Management.
After graduation, I secured employment with the National Population Commission (NPC), where I worked for two years, traveling across many states of the federation. Despite my disability, I worked tirelessly, day and night, until I left in January 1992 after the census exercise. In 1993, I got an appointment with the Nigerian Bottling Company Plc (Coca-Cola) in Kano as a Store Clerk. By 1995, I was promoted to Assistant Storekeeper, and over the years, I attended several trainings in Lagos, Enugu, Benin, and other places. Eventually, I rose to the position of Spare Parts Store Manager before resigning in 2006.
Through all these experiences, my disability has never been a limitation. I do not see it as something that should make me tired or unable to work. On the contrary, I have always had the passion and determination to take on difficult tasks, sometimes even more than those considered “normal.” I am proud that I have consistently proven my ability to work hard and perform excellently in everything I do.
The major challenge I faced came after I left my job at Coca-Cola, as I have not been able to find another suitable job like that until now. I first joined a small beverage company that produced juice and water. I used the talent and experience I gained from Coca-Cola to promote and grow that company. However, due to poor management, my efforts were not recognized. I brought in many customers, personally went into the market to advertise our products, and offered incentives that attracted the attention of marketers. I even took the company to the Kano International Trade Fair, where I sold our products in large volumes. Despite these contributions, the management gave me no recognition, and eventually, the company was sold to other people.
In 2007, my brother informed me that Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria had advertised vacancies for people with computer science backgrounds, and he encouraged me to apply. I did so and was invited to sit for the aptitude test. There were about 200 candidates, with 100 questions to be answered in one hour. I completed mine in 35 minutes with full confidence that I had passed. Later, I was invited for an interview, but it turned out to be one of the biggest barriers I have ever faced. When I entered the hall, I saw about seven interviewers seated. The first one asked me for my documents, which I handed over. After checking them carefully, he looked at me and asked, “With this physical challenge, how did you manage to do all this work?” I replied that I could even do more if only given the opportunity. He then asked, “Who sent you here?” I told him I saw the advertisement myself and applied. He continued, “Nobody stood for you?” I said no. He passed my documents to another interviewer, who, with very hurtful words, asked, “With this deficiency, how can you work with normal people?” I replied, “Only God knows how I can do it.” He dismissed me immediately and said, “Okay, go.” Up till today, I was never given the appointment. That experience exposed me to serious barriers and a lack of inclusiveness.
A few years later, ABU Zaria gave me a daily wage appointment in 2013, paying ₦350 per day. I had no choice but to accept, despite the hardship and rising cost of living. At first, I felt discouraged whenever I remembered I had to go there, but my mother encouraged me to keep going. Just like at Coca-Cola, I took my work seriously and was later appointed as a Computer Analyst in the Livestock Department. I developed a program that helped track and identify all animals. It monitored egg production, fish stock, fingerlings, and dairy output, including the daily liters of milk produced by each cow. With this program, the Head of Department (HOD) could monitor the department’s activities from home. Despite these innovations and contributions, when it came time to convert casual staff to permanent staff, the Director refused to appoint me. My HOD presented all my documents, achievements, and contributions to the department, but the Director would not listen. All my colleagues who were casual workers at that time were converted to permanent staff, but I was excluded. With no other option, I had to leave the job.
My greatest passion is working with computers. I enjoy applying my computer skills wherever I find myself, and many NGOs have encouraged me in this area. I have received several opportunities because of this skill. For example, during my work in the Livestock Section at ABU Zaria, my knowledge of computers made it possible for me to develop programs that improved record-keeping and management. Up to today, whenever they conduct quarterly stock checks, they still call me to provide technical advice. One of my hobbies is horse riding and polo. I truly enjoy riding and playing with horses. When I am on horseback, you may not even realize that I am physically challenged unless you already know me. I strongly hope to gain opportunities that will allow me to support young people with disabilities in their studies and personal development. Many are misled by peers or discouraged by parents at home, but access to education can empower them to face future challenges. I would guide them away from street begging, which only limits their progress. For those in rural areas where schools are far from their homes, I would provide mobility support if I had the funding, to ensure they can reach school and continue their education. People know me best for my passion and experience in computer work, a skill I began developing during my time at Coca-Cola. This led to my appointment by Professor M. B. Shitu in 2016 as a temporary secretary for his associations, Inclusive Education and Development Association (ICEADA) and Inclusive Development Practitioner (ICDP). I worked with him until 2018, when the project ended, but I continued to use his office and support his initiatives voluntarily. Later, Professor Auwal Halilu, founder of the NGO Non-Formal Development for Education, Health and Initiative (NDEHI), appointed me as Administrator and Secretary with full support. I have worked with him since 2014, and he has always encouraged me, provided opportunities, and treated me with respect. Through his mentorship, I attended important programs, such as the Path 2 conference in Abuja, which gave me wider recognition. Together, we were also engaged in the MNCH2 project in Kano.