“UoPeople Was the Only University That Felt Possible”: Jeremiah A., a Computer Science Student from Nigeria

Originally from Nigeria and currently based in Lagos, Jeremiah A. is completing his Associate of Science in Computer Science at University of the People, while steadily rebuilding his path after years of personal and health challenges.

Jeremiah describes his early years as joyful and full of warmth. Growing up in a close-knit family, he was known for his soft, cheerful personality.

“I had a very happy childhood,” he shares. “People lovingly called me ‘Baby’ or ‘Cartoon’ because of my appearance and personality.”

Music played a central role in his upbringing. At just seven years old, he became the main drummer in his father’s church—a role he would continue for over two decades.

“I’ve been drumming for over 23 years,” he says. “People really loved my playing.”

But at 16, his life took an unexpected and difficult turn. In 2011, Jeremiah suffered a massive stroke that led to long-term health challenges, including tremors and psychosis. The road to recovery was long and uncertain.

“That period was very dark,” he recalls. “I was hospitalized, and it took many years to recover.”

Alongside his health struggles, Jeremiah also faced financial setbacks, including losing a significant amount of money to scams. Despite these challenges, he refused to let those experiences define his future.

“Those moments were very dark, but they made me stronger,” he says.

Determined to rebuild his path, Jeremiah began searching for accessible education options that could fit his circumstances. That’s when he discovered UoPeople.

“I was looking for an affordable, flexible online degree that accepts international students,” he explains. “It was the only university that felt possible for someone in Nigeria with my situation.”

Since enrolling, Jeremiah has made the most of the flexibility UoPeople offers—especially as he continues to manage his health.

“I love the flexibility,” he says. “I can study even when I’m not feeling well. My health issues don’t stop me from working toward something better.”

His academic journey has also been a source of renewed confidence.

“The courses are practical—especially programming, AI, and web development—and the 3.5 to 4.0 GPA I’m maintaining gives me confidence,” he shares. “It feels like the university truly believes in second chances.”

Recently, Jeremiah transferred credits toward his degree, accelerating his progress.

“I was worried at first, but the process was smooth,” he says. “Now I’m eligible to graduate with my Associate degree very soon. It saved me a lot of time and money.”

Outside the classroom, Jeremiah is constantly building and creating. From experimenting with hardware to exploring AI tools, he is actively shaping his future in tech.

“I’ve recently started working with new tools,” he says. “I’ve also been making music with AI tools.”

He continues to drum, watch tech content, and work on his startup, Prae Technologies—where his platform, PraeHire, is already live and generating revenue.

Looking ahead, Jeremiah has clear and ambitious goals.

“I plan to finish my Associate degree very soon, complete my Bachelor’s in 2027, and get a remote USD-paying job as an AI/ML engineer,” he says. “I also want to relocate to the US, UK, or Canada. I want to upgrade my parents’ house into a smart home and make them proud.”

Through it all, Jeremiah carries the same warmth he was known for as a child—now paired with a hard-earned sense of strength.

“After the stroke, I became physically quite weak,” he reflects. “But mentally, I became very strong and unbreakable.”

Today, he balances his studies, health, and entrepreneurial work with determination—proving that setbacks do not define what comes next.

“My biggest dream is to make my parents proud and show other young Nigerians that your challenges don’t define your future,” he says.

As a university, we’re proud to see how Jeremiah is rebuilding his path while creating new possibilities for himself and others, and we wish him all the best for his future.