Visually impaired UNILAG newcomer overcomes brain tumour to achieve top score in JAMB exams

Ogunsua-Dixon Tijesuni, a freshman at the University of Lagos, has shared her remarkable story of overcoming a brain tumour, multiple surgeries, and years of rehabilitation to become the country's top matriculating candidate in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Equal Opportunity Group for Persons with Disabilities.

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Tijesuni, a 100-level Mass Communication student, recently spoke about her journey after being honoured at the maiden Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Awards, where she was recognised alongside six other outstanding matriculants from the 2025 admission exercise.

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The Ondo State-born student achieved an impressive score of 288 in the 2025 UTME and an aggregate score of 81.2 per cent, emerging top in the disability category.

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Tijesuni's ordeal began at the age of 11, when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour while in Junior Secondary School 2, and she had lost partial function of her left limb by that point.

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Her condition worsened in Senior Secondary School 3, when she started losing her sight gradually, and despite her struggles, she wrote her WAEC and later scored 225 in JAMB to study Law at the University of Ibadan.

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However, shortly after the examination, Tijesuni collapsed at home, prompting urgent medical intervention, and doctors said the tumour had been there for too long and she needed surgery immediately.

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Recounting the moment she was first diagnosed, Tijesuni described it as the most traumatic phase of her life, and she remembered looking at the brain scan and seeing the mass, feeling petrified and deeply frightened by the diagnosis.

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She added that her initial symptoms had been persistent migraines and weakness in her limbs, which were initially misunderstood, and she was actively involved in sports before her condition worsened.

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Tijesuni underwent brain surgery in January 2018 at the age of 16, by which time her sight had deteriorated significantly, and before the diagnosis, she had been the captain of the female basketball team in primary school and played other sports.

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After three years of rehabilitation in Ibadan, she was moved to the Blind Centre in Oshodi, Lagos, where she received training in mobility and independent living, and she also underwent hospitality and broadcasting training.

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According to Tijesuni, doctors believe there is a possibility of regaining her sight, but the required neurological rehabilitation technology is not available in Nigeria, and she had to adjust her academic path due to her condition.

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She noted that she had always aspired to become a medical doctor or lawyer, but had to choose Mass Communication instead, and losing her sight changed her outlook on life, making her sometimes wish to see again.

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Tijesuni commended UNILAG for its disability-friendly environment and support system, and she also expressed gratitude to JAMB's Equal Opportunity Group for providing accessible arrangements for candidates with disabilities.

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She described receiving the Rite Foods award as a moment of surprise and validation, and she urged government and employers to create more opportunities for persons with disabilities, lamenting the weak welfare and employment structures in Nigeria.

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Tijesuni emphasized that there is no welfare structure for people living with disabilities in Nigeria, and companies rarely employ persons with disabilities, judging them as unable to do anything, and she believes that with more support, people would see what they can do.