Nehemiah Danjuma has been called to the Nigerian Bar, making history as the first deaf lawyer from Northern Nigeria.
Danjuma, who is from Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, graduated with a Second Class Upper degree in Common Law from the University of Ilorin before completing his Bar Part II programme at the Abuja Campus of the Nigerian Law School.
Announcing the milestone on his X handle, he wrote: “First Deaf Lawyer from Northern Nigeria. Called to the Bar. History made.”
The achievement has attracted widespread commendation, with many praising his resilience and determination despite the challenges of living with a hearing disability.
A colleague at the Nigerian Law School, Chukwu Nzubechukwu, said he learnt sign language to communicate better with Danjuma.
“My closest friend in NLS Abuja. Had to learn sign language so I could communicate properly with him. Got tired of using notes. Nemmy changed my life! Congratulations my brooo. Future AGF! God speed on every day my broooo,” he wrote.
Danjuma also recalled how he initially lost admission to study Law at the University of Ilorin after he was offered Primary Education Studies.
“Waliu was the first Unilorin Law student I contacted when I was seeking admission in 2017. We would’ve been classmates but Unilorin gave me Primary Education Studies. I clicked ‘reject’ with the speed of light and tried again in 2018,” he said.
Beyond academics, Danjuma has built a reputation as a disability rights advocate. He served as Students’ Union Senator representing students with disabilities at the University of Ilorin and later became a two-term National President of the National Association of Nigerian Deaf Students.
Following his call to the Bar, he thanked the Voice of Disability Initiative for supporting his sign language interpreter and the JASAN Foundation for awarding him a full tuition scholarship at the Nigerian Law School.
“I’m incredibly proud of this milestone and excited for an impactful career at the Bar and beyond,” he said.
