Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nehemiah Danjuma has joined the ranks of Nigeria's newest legal practitioners after being called to the Bar, achieving what he described as a historic milestone as the first deaf lawyer from Northern Nigeria. Danjuma, who hails from Jaba, Kaduna State, studied Common Law and graduated with a Second Class Upper at the University of Ilorin before proceeding to the Abuja Campus of the Nigerian Law School for his Bar Part II programme. He celebrated the achievement in a post on X, where he identified himself as a deaf lawyer. "First Deaf Lawyer from Northern Nigeria. Called to the Bar. History made," he wrote.
His journey to the legal profession has drawn admiration from colleagues and disability rights advocates, many of whom highlighted the challenges he overcame throughout his academic journey. One of his closest friends at the Nigerian Law School revealed that he learnt sign language to communicate more effectively with Danjuma during their time in Abuja. "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 reflected on his admission journey to the University of Ilorin, revealing that he initially missed studying Law after being 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 wrote.
Beyond academics, Danjuma has built a profile as a disability rights advocate and youth leader. According to his LinkedIn profile, his professional interests include disability law and policy, human rights, international law and diplomacy, the intersection of assistive technology and disability, and employment and labour law. While in the University of Ilorin, he served as the Students' Union Senator representing students with disabilities. He also served two terms as National President of the National Association of Nigerian Deaf Students, where he organised the association's first national conference in 2023, launched the NANDS Magazine and received a Long-term Service Award.
His advocacy also earned him international recognition. Between 2021 and 2024, he served as a Youth Adviser on Human Development on the European Union Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria, advising on education, health and social protection policies affecting young people. Danjuma was also a Coelho Law Fellow at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, where he received specialised training in disability rights law and policy through the Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy and Innovation. During his Nigerian Law School programme, he completed externships at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, where he participated in legal research, drafting and court observation.
In another post after his Call to Bar, Danjuma acknowledged organisations that supported his journey. He expressed gratitude to the Voice of Disability Initiative for partial support towards his Sign Language Interpreter and to the JASAN FOUNDATION for believing in him and awarding him a full tuition law school scholarship as a JASAN Scholar 2024. "I'm incredibly proud of this milestone and excited for an impactful career at the Bar and beyond," he wrote.
Danjuma currently serves as Programmes Lead at the Voice of Disability Initiative, where he coordinates advocacy projects, outreach programmes and disability inclusion initiatives. His call to the Nigerian Bar comes days after the Nigerian Law School admitted a new set of graduates, and his achievement has been hailed as a significant milestone for disability inclusion in Nigeria's legal profession. His story is a powerful reminder that determination, resilience, and the support of a community can overcome even the most daunting barriers.
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