I Lost My Leg as a Child, Then Faced Nigeria’s Barriers to Living Independently

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I was knocked down by a commercial bus in Lagos at five. Delays and poor treatment worsened my injuries, and I eventually had a below-the-knee amputation at nine. The experience left me navigating pain, stigma and the struggle to regain my confidence. Living with a disability in Nigeria has meant paying heavily for prosthetic limbs, receiving little rehabilitation support and facing public spaces that are not built for everyone. Many people with limb loss cannot afford mobility aids, while ramps, accessible transport and disability-friendly public services remain scarce. After moving to the UK, I saw how proper rehabilitation, accessible transport and government-supported prosthetics can give people more independence. Nigeria has laws against disability discrimination, but stronger enforcement, better public planning and meaningful health funding are needed to make inclusion real.

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