Nigerian girl Ese Oruru, whose abduction and forced conversion once sparked nationwide outrage, has graduated from the University of Ilorin with a Second Class Upper Division in Education Technology.
Ese’s story drew national attention in 2015 after she was abducted from Bayelsa State, trafficked to Kano, and forcibly converted to Islam. Her rescue and return to her family marked the beginning of a long journey of recovery and determination.
Now, nearly a decade later, Ese has turned her painful past into a story of triumph, completing her degree with impressive results.
Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, was among the first to celebrate the news, describing Ese’s achievement as an inspiring testament to resilience.
“I am super-joyful to honor and celebrate the academic achievement of Ese Oruru! Ese graduated 2nd Class Upper Division in Education Technology today at the University of Ilorin and now stands as a testament of what a determined mind can accomplish,” Ezekwesili wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Above all, I thank God for Ese. The future holds so much greater promise for this young woman whose life has evolved into an extraordinary inspiration and role model for us all. Congratulations!” she added.
Human rights activist Rinu Oduala also commended Ese’s courage, recalling her traumatic experience. “Ese Oruru was a victim of a very brutal crime against the girl child in Nigeria. She was kidnapped at a young age, trafficked to Kano, forcibly converted to Islam, and sexually abused. She is a graduate now! Congratulations, Ese! We are very proud of your resilience!” she wrote.
Ese’s academic success has since been widely celebrated as a symbol of hope, perseverance, and the power of education to transform even the most tragic beginnings.
