Joshua Beckford, a Nigerian-born British prodigy, made history as the youngest person to study at Oxford University.
Admitted at just six years old through an online learning program for gifted children, he excelled in Philosophy and History, earning distinctions in both subjects.
His journey to Oxford began when his father, Knox Daniel, wrote to the university advocating for his son’s admission.
This bold request challenged the age restrictions for a program designed for children between eight and 13. Beckford’s record remains unmatched, as the next youngest Oxford student was at least two years older at the time of admission.
Beckford’s extraordinary abilities were evident from infancy.
By 10 months, he could identify letters and numbers, and by two and a half years old, he was reading fluently while also learning Japanese and some Mandarin. His ambitions extend to medicine, with a strong interest in neurosurgery.
Using the Microsoft Surgery Simulator, he has mastered complex procedures such as cataract removal, hernia repair, and leg fracture correction.
His proficiency with surgical instruments underscores his exceptional talents.
Beyond medicine, Beckford is a multi-talented individual, excelling in art, Information Technology (IT), sports, and foreign languages. His remarkable achievements have earned him global recognition. In 2017, he was named Positive Role Model of the Year at the UK’s National Diversity Awards.
He was also listed among the Top 30 Most Extraordinary People worldwide by the Illumination Foundation of North Carolina.
Beckford serves as an ambassador for the Boys Mentoring Advocacy Network (BMAN), an NGO dedicated to mentoring young boys in Africa.
As the Low-Income Families Education (L.I.F.E) Support Ambassador, he oversees initiatives in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Beckford is also a leading advocate for the National Autistic Society’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) campaign, using his voice to spread awareness and support for neurodiverse individuals.
In 2019, he and his father visited Nigeria to launch a live mentoring session, delivering a keynote address at the University of Lagos to nearly 5,000 attendees. Their visit aimed to raise funds for the construction of a secondary school in Kaduna State, designed to provide quality education for underprivileged children.
According to the University of Lagos, the proposed Joshua Beckford Community School would feature classrooms, a laboratory, an ICT center, an administrative block, and an agricultural green garden.
Joshua Beckford’s story continues to inspire young minds across the world, proving that intelligence and determination can break barriers and redefine possibilities.
