Bitrus Nwalsu overcomes disability to serve Nigeria

Bitrus Nwalsu, a 30-year-old man from Bauchi State, Nigeria, recently began his service with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) despite facing lifelong physical disabilities.

Nwalsu contracted polio as a child due to lack of early immunisation, leaving him unable to walk. He persevered through primary and secondary school, often crawling to attend classes, and later graduated from Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic with a degree in Business Administration.

During his education, Nwalsu encountered both discouragement and exclusion from peers, as well as physical barriers due to a lack of accessible infrastructure. He built his own wheelchair, which frequently required repairs, and struggled to navigate campus. Despite these challenges, he was determined to become a civil servant to support his family and community. After graduating in 2024, Nwalsu’s mobilisation for the NYSC surprised many.

He was initially slated for a camp with rigorous physical training but was reassigned to his home state due to his disability. He now serves at the Federal Secretariat in Bauchi, where accessibility remains a daily struggle, requiring him to climb stairs for routine tasks. Nwalsu hopes his story will inspire others and advocates for greater accessibility for people with disabilities in Nigeria. He married in 2024 and has a young daughter, after facing initial rejection from potential partners.