A Nigerian-born grandfather, Chris Osagbaekhoe, has graduated with first-class honours in Social Work from Goldsmiths, University of London, at the age of 68.

Osagbaekhoe, who lives in Thamesmead, south-east London, completed the four-year programme after enrolling as a mature student at 64, the BBC reported on Friday.

The father of four and grandfather of 12 had previously studied Psychology and Counselling between 2013 and 2015 before turning to Social Work.

He said his decision to pursue the course was motivated by a desire to support vulnerable people, empower them to overcome difficulties and advocate for those whose voices are often overlooked.

“Part of the inspiration was to empower people to empower themselves, and part of the motivation was to be a voice to the voiceless – that was my inner drive,” he said.

Goldsmiths said Osagbaekhoe, who lives with a disability, drew on his personal experiences to develop a strong interest in advocacy and supporting disadvantaged people.

“There are abilities in disability. My lived experience has given me empathy, understanding and the determination to empower others,” he said in a report published by the university.

He began studying for the Social Work degree in 2022 and transferred to Goldsmiths in 2024 after encountering difficulties during his academic journey.

Despite the setbacks, the university said he remained committed to working with vulnerable people, protecting families and helping individuals deal with challenging circumstances.

Reflecting on his graduation, Osagbaekhoe acknowledged the difficulties he encountered but credited his resilience, faith and the support he received from the university for helping him complete the programme.

“I’m happy there were challenges along the way, but because of resilience and faith, and the support from Goldsmiths University, we are celebrating success today,” he said.

Osagbaekhoe said his achievement should encourage people not to abandon their ambitions because of their age.

“If I can achieve this at 68, others can too. People are often far stronger and more capable than they realise,” he said.

He is now seeking his first position as a qualified social worker and plans to establish a community initiative aimed at helping young people avoid crime.

Osagbaekhoe said he particularly hoped his experience would encourage mature students and people living with disabilities to pursue their educational and career goals.

“Your dreams do not expire because of your age,” he said.

Dr Carmen Yau, a Social Work lecturer at Goldsmiths, described his journey as one of determination, courage and hope.

She said his experience demonstrated that education could transform lives at any stage, while also reflecting core social work values such as resilience, hope and belief in people’s potential.