Esteemed readers,
Welcome back and happy 2026!
Fast on to edition 28 of the series, we feature comrade Mohammed Bello Suleiman. Bello holds first and second degrees in special education and rehabilitation science from the University of Jos, works with the federal ministry of defence, and presently chairs the Niger state association of the Deaf. He also facilitates disability inclusion for the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD). I met him in Minna the Niger state capital during one of my reporting trips. A very personable fellow, imposing build, well-educated and exposed, yet unassuming – this gentleman exudes a tremendous aura that belies the fact of being born deaf. A couple days of interactions with Bello offered vital reflections on navigating the disabled experience – talk about the blessings of family love, education and a mindset that won’t cave in to negativity. He captures it succinctly:
“It was wonderful growing up with my grandparents, they took good care of me….they pushed me into school. I got a diploma, first and second degrees – today, I am well-educated. I don’t give in to negativity over my disability” – Bello
Background and Growing-up
My grandparents did a very good job of raising me as a Deaf child
Born around the mid-1980s in rural Agaie Local Government, Niger state, Bello grew up with his grandparents. He looks back to those childhood years with gratitude.
“I was born deaf without any cause. Alhamdulillah (thanks be to God) for that. I was five years old before I knew that I was totally deaf and without speech. I later asked my mum what caused my deafness and she told me that I was born deaf, [according to her] they slapped me [to find out] if I could hear [that was how they] found out I am completely deaf”
Earlier, he had been taken, first, to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for ear/hearing assessment, before being flown to Germany by caring grandparents. In Germany, a diagnosis was made – damaged ear-wax.
“They [my grandparents] did a very good job bringing me up as a Deaf child. They pushed me into boarding schools, primary and secondary at the Niger State School for Special Education, Minna.”
That’s how life is!
Coping with deafness and discrimination
“They [people] discriminated against me a lot because I am deaf – the main issue has always been communication. One of my worst nightmares is when I have to ask people for directions to locate places I am going to. I often have the name of the place written on a note and when I show them they think I am a beggar. Other times, they just don’t have want to have anything to do with a Deaf person.”
I have managed to cope. But, that’s how life is. I have learnt to accept my disability in good faith and not allow negative thoughts overwhelm me.
Yet it gets really frustrating
I like it when interviewees come clean about the hurts and vulnerabilities that come with the turf. To say those thousand and one soft cuts don’t get at one isn’t real. Even the best of us is prone to the low moments. From this comes the pointed question: what are your biggest disability related challenges?
Bello answers spontaneously – ‘communication barriers and lack of access’. “It gets really frustrating”, he admits, “having conversations go on around you and not being able to participate can be much depressing; likewise trying to initiate a conversation with someone only to be taken lightly or bluntly ignored because you can’t communicate in the conventional way.”
Standing stronger
I do not give up
In the proverbial “making lemonades of lemons” style, Bello says the discrimination has built in him character.
From the first I was instantly taken by Bello’s outgoing personality. Rather than allow the discrimination and communication barriers drive him into a shell, he was always taking initiatives.
“I put myself out there standing stronger to show that there is ability in disability and change things. I do not give up! I actively participate in disability awareness and advocacy. I campaign to stop the discriminating against people with disabilities – inviting top politicians and civil servants to be part of the discussion.”
Telepathic hearing for the deaf
Bello!…and the deaf boy’s reflex synced. You’d think he heard his name called.
The conversation moves to the funny side of hearing without sound.
For Bello it was when some telepathy-like alignment of the stars came to his aid at the very moment his name was called – not because he heard but because something inside of him clicked. It is important to quickly chip in at this point how for many deaf people, calling at them with their back toward you, even at near proximity is like talking to a brick wall.
“But on this day, Bello recalls, I turned at the very moment my mother called. She was like, goodness! You heard me!”. We were both pretty surprised and had a good laugh over it.”
Is disability a bad thing?
This one caught Bello off-guard. It takes him awhile to respond, and the answer comes equivocal – robed on both sides of reality and religious beliefs. He is a practicing muslim.
“I can’t say it is bad or good. Sometimes, I am tempted to call disability a bad thing, because living with it is never easy. But I have learnt to accept it as Allah’s wish”
Parting Admonition
People with disabilities should not give up and people without disability should understand and support our Nigerian disability law.”
The Disability Champions Series, a collaborative project with madam Joy Bolarin, Executive Director, Jibore Foundation, is anchored by Alexander Ogheneruemu (Disability issues writer)
Special acknowledgement to T.O.L.A Foundation for backup support