Nigerian student’s story of survival

Ovey Friday / File: BBC

A Nigerian student who survived severe abuse as a child has overcome significant barriers to pursue higher education, in a story that highlights both personal resilience and systemic challenges. Ovey Friday, now 19, was just 13 when he was accused of witchcraft by his stepmother and taken to a traditional shrine in Nasarawa state, where he was tortured. According to his account to the BBC, the abuse left him with life-altering injuries.

“The herbalist brought charcoal, put something on my hands, tied my hands with my legs, added pepper into the charcoal, and covered me with a bedsheet,” he said.

By the time a neighbour alerted police and he was taken to hospital, the damage was irreversible. Doctors were forced to amputate his left hand, while the fingers on his right hand were either removed or permanently scarred.

“I cried and I cried,” Friday recalled.

In the years that followed, he faced not only physical challenges but also social stigma, with people staring at or mocking him in public. Despite this, Friday remained determined to continue his education. However, he encountered further obstacles when he attempted to sit Nigeria’s university entrance examination. The biometric verification system, which relies on fingerprint identification, was unable to register his scarred hands. After intervention from a guardian and disability rights advocates, officials made an exception and allowed him to verify his identity using a toeprint. Friday has since secured admission to a university in Nasarawa, where he is studying English and literary studies. He is the first member of his family to attend university. Reflecting on his journey, he told the BBC that access to such opportunities is not guaranteed for everyone facing similar challenges.

“Not everyone has someone to push for them,” he said. “Some people will just stop trying.”