How I turned living with achondroplasia to motivation — UNIOSUN first-class graduate, Akinbobola

Growing up with achondroplasia, Akinbobola Badmus never saw himself as different from other children in the community, as life initially felt normal because of the love and support he received from his parents. 

The 22-year-old, now a first-class graduate of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), said he later had to start dealing with stigma after noticing the attention he attracted whenever he was outside his family circle. 

“Although at some point it was looking odd for me, I noticed that I attracted attention more than usual compared to other kids around, but growing up in a family where I received every support and care made me worry less,” he said.

Though he was too young to understand what it meant to attract strange attention in public space, in this exclusive interview with Tribune Online, Akinbobola shared how he still felt the pressure while detailing experiences with bullying and discrimination, losing his father while in university, among other challenges of living with achondroplasia.

‘I was never offended’ 

Speaking on how he dealt with bullying, Akinbobola explained that his physical difference became more obvious during adolescence, particularly after his family moved to Lagos.

“It was the verbal type, just within the neighborhood; I hear them call me ‘small rat, big head’, but I was never offended; I knew I wasn’t one,” he said.

However, the 22-year-old recalled being pushed to the wall at a point; he became more worried and inquisitive – questioning not just the biological reason responsible for his siblings’ stature. 

“At the age of 14, I started asking questions. I became worried; that was when I realized that I was different physically. My younger ones were way taller than me; the naughty words and mocking laughter never stopped, but my parents still made things look normal,” he recalled.

Despite how he grew more worried in search of answers, Akinbobola considered role played by his parents in helping him build confidence and unhindered access to education against all odds as deserving the credit for his academic success. 

“I was heavily supported; I would say that the support I received from them was my strength and help. They gave me every attention that every child would get and more.

“They provided me with every opportunity to express and show my abilities. Providing me with education is one of the strongest forms of support they gave me. They didn’t decide to take me to a remote area or village because of this feeling of shame. I was not forced to dismiss my education journey and learn any local craft out of fear. I really appreciate their belief in me,” he quipped.

Becoming UNIOSUN graduand

The idea of attending Osun State University (UNIOSUN) was not entirely that of Akinbobola. It was that of his uncle, whom he simply gave his name as David. 

However, it was an easy decision to avert wasting more time at home, especially amid the 2022 industrial action by public university lecturers — also known as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). 

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Uncle David, he said, did not only suggest UNIOSUN as a viable option to reduce delay in his education, but also helped with his admission.

“Just one evening, my uncle and dad sat on the balcony, and I stood before them and agreed to go for UNIOSUN since it was the best choice available to beat the time lag I wanted to minimize,” he recalled.

Akinbobola described his experience at the university as positive. According to him, living away from home was an opportunity to try living through it on his own.

“My experience at UNIOSUN was outstanding; I have no form of regret to have attended that great citadel,” he stated. “Staying away from home and living alone gave me more chances to live through it independently.”

As a person living with achondroplasia, Akinbobola did not escape one or two challenges on campus. 

During his 100-level days, he recalled how many students usually wear curious and surprising looks whenever they saw him walking through the long distance between hostel and the campus.

“My school hostel in 100 level days was about 20 to 25 minutes walk to campus.

“I saw people’s faces, some were mystified, some were surprised, some were finding it fun to see me around,” he told this reporter.

However, Akinbobola chose to face it head on. He said he challenged himself academically and tried not to allow his physical condition to become an excuse.

“My biggest challenges were close to non-existent, because I was challenging myself already ,” he stated.

But the 22-year-old nearly gave up after losing his father in September 2024. He described the period as the most difficult for him, losing his biggest motivator. 

“A time I felt like giving up? Hmm yes though and that was at the end of my second year when I lost my Dad, it was a disheartening event, he was my biggest motivator,” he said, recounting his late father’s advice: “He would tell me ‘Akin, inferiority complex will be your biggest growth deterrent, stay away from it’. He would always tell me not to see myself lesser.”

Turning stigma, biggest loss to motivation 

Despite losing his father, the young graduate said he continued his studies and later received the Candido DaRocha Award after recording the highest CGPA of 4.85 in the Department of Accounting for the 2024/25 session.

“I felt motivated to not give up after receiving this academic scholarship. I believed that it could only get better for me,” he said.

Despite graduating with a CGPA of 4.65, he stated that the result was below his personal target.

“To be very honest, graduating with a 4.65 CGPA was below my expectations, I aimed higher but I would always remind myself on how I have been coming, I will always tell myself that I didn’t come this far to fail,” he told Tribune Online.

Akinbobola’s life and living on UNIOSUN was not just about academics, despite targeting a stronger CGPA. Beyond academics, Akinbobola took on leadership and advisory roles at academic and religious gatherings.

He served as Committee Head of the Research Unit for the UNIOSUN Accounting Annual Summit (TUAS) 2.0 and held several positions in his Christian fellowship, including Brothers Coordinator, Academic Coordinator and President of Winners Campus Fellowship.

He said his experiences taught him that physical stature should not prevent anyone from taking up leadership responsibilities.

“Being fatherless was hurtful but shouldn’t deny success, being short statured doesn’t deny ones leadership role, someone had to do it and it should be done efficiently,” he said.

Speaking on the stigma faced by living with achondroplasia, Akinbobola urged the society to stop associating the condition with inferiority.

“Living with Achondroplasia doesn’t make one lesser, it doesn’t mean that we’re a lower human version,” he added.

The young Accounting graduate also rejected what he described as the belief that people with achondroplasia have lower cognitive abilities.

“I also noticed that many people relate achondroplasia with lower level cognitive intuition, that’s a big lie, we’re smart, agile and intelligent just like any average size human,” Akinbobola declared.

According to him, people living with the condition should be given opportunities beyond entertainment.

“We shouldn’t be subject to lower life, we should be accepted into the corporate world more we’re not meant to serve as entertainment alone, trust me we have more to offer than you can think,” he said.

Akinbobola further urged the society to promote acceptance and equal opportunities for people living with achondroplasia.

“The society should learn how to accommodate people like me,” he said.

 Campus relationships and life ahead

Though facing his academics was a strong personal conviction, Akinbobola recalled how a polite rejection from a female coursemate he asked out in 100 levels hurt his feelings. 

“I was pained but I couldn’t blame her,” he said, noting however that he later decided to focus on his academics while maintaining good relationships with female friends.

“I believed that relationship was not going to work out then, I faced my academics squarely and unbothered,” he said.

Looking ahead now as a first-class graduate of UNIOSUN, Akinbobola disclosed readiness to partake in the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, complete his professional ICAN examinations, gain work experience and pursue a master’s degree.

While hoping his experiences and subsequent achievements will inspire other people living with physical conditions, Akinbobola urged them not to allow their physical conditions to limit their ambitions.

“There’s purpose for every life, your physical condition should not be your limitation, rather it should be your biggest motivation to come out well because nobody would believe you at first,” he admonished.

He added by calling on anyone living with achondroplasia to make a difference in challenging unfair societal assumptions about their existence, cautioning the public against unfair attributions. 

“We’re better addressed as little person, short stature or people with dwarfism instead of midget or dwarfs.”