Nigerian Youth Once Branded a Witch Celebrates University Admission After 12-Year Journey

A Nigerian youth once targeted in a brutal witchcraft accusation has taken a remarkable step forward, securing admission into a university 12 years after his rescue.

Samuel’s story was shared by Danish humanitarian worker Anja Ringgren Loven, who recounted the moment she found him in Akwa Ibom and brought him to safety. In a post on Friday, November 28, 2025, she reflected on how she sat with him to share a meal shortly after his rescue—an act meant to show that she rejected the stigma placed on him.

Loven wrote that watching Samuel take part in his matriculation ceremony fills her with pride, noting the transformation made possible through long-term care, education, and community support.

She thanked supporters of the Land of Hope initiative for helping make Samuel’s journey possible, celebrating his resilience and the fulfillment of a wish she held on the day they first ate together: that he would survive and one day receive an education.