At an age when many people would consider formal education a chapter already closed, 68-year-old Nigerian-born Chris Osagbaekhoe has demonstrated that academic ambition does not have an expiry date after graduating with a first-class degree in Social Work from Goldsmiths, University of London.
Osagbaekhoe, a father of four and grandfather of 12, graduated with a First-Class BA (Hons) in Social Work after returning to higher education as a mature student. He completed his studies at Goldsmiths and received his degree at a graduation ceremony held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster on September 2, 2026.
Born and raised in Nigeria before settling in Thamesmead, south-east London, Osagbaekhoe began his Social Work journey in his 60s, driven by a desire to support vulnerable people and become a voice for individuals whose circumstances often leave them unheard.
His academic journey was preceded by studies in Psychology and Counselling between 2013 and 2015. In 2022, at the age of 64, he embarked on his Social Work degree as a mature student, demonstrating a commitment to learning that continued despite the considerable difference between his age and that of many of his classmates.
His achievement becomes even more notable because Osagbaekhoe lives with a physical disability and chronic pain resulting from one leg being shorter than the other, a condition that affects his spinal cord. Rather than allowing the challenge to prevent him from pursuing his academic and professional ambitions, he drew on his experience to strengthen his interest in supporting other vulnerable people.
For Osagbaekhoe, his personal experiences have shaped his understanding of resilience, empathy and the importance of empowering people to overcome difficult circumstances.
His academic path was not entirely without setbacks. Reports indicate that he transferred to Goldsmiths in 2024 but remained focused on completing the Social Work programme and achieving the academic standard he had set for himself.
The graduate has said his motivation was rooted partly in a desire to empower people to empower themselves and to give a voice to those who may struggle to speak for themselves. His experience of disability further strengthened that commitment.
Reflecting on his graduation, Osagbaekhoe attributed his success to resilience, faith and the support he received from Goldsmiths, describing the achievement as the culmination of a challenging but rewarding journey.
His story has also attracted attention because it challenges conventional assumptions about age and higher education. While many people associate university education primarily with young adults progressing directly from secondary school, mature students continue to demonstrate that learning can take place at different stages of life.
Osagbaekhoe now hopes to secure his first professional role as a qualified social worker. Beyond employment, he has expressed plans to establish a community-based project or centre that could help steer young people away from crime and provide positive opportunities for personal development.
A multi-instrumentalist who plays several instruments, including drums, keyboard, guitar, bass guitar and trumpet, he also hopes to use music as another avenue for inspiring young people.
His achievement carries a broader message for prospective students, mature learners and people living with disabilities who may believe that age or physical limitations have placed higher education beyond their reach.
At 68, with four children and 12 grandchildren, Osagbaekhoe has shown that academic achievement can emerge from determination, purpose and a willingness to begin again, regardless of age.
His first-class degree is therefore more than a personal academic milestone. It is also a reminder that universities can serve as spaces for lifelong learning, reinvention and second chances, while demonstrating that the pursuit of knowledge does not have to end at any particular age.
