A 68-year-old grandfather from South London has achieved a remarkable academic milestone after graduating with a first-class degree in Social Work. Chris Osagbaekhoe, who lives in Thamesmead, South East London, received his BA in Social Work from Goldsmiths, University of London during a graduation ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster on Wednesday, September 2.

Originally born and raised in Nigeria, Chris is a father of four and grandfather to 12 grandchildren. His journey into higher education has been one of determination and perseverance.

Before studying social work, Chris completed courses in psychology and counselling between 2013 and 2015. However, at the age of 64, he decided to take another step in his educational journey by enrolling on a social work degree as a mature student.

His decision was driven by a desire to support vulnerable people, give a voice to those who may struggle to be heard and make a positive difference in his community.

Chris later transferred to Goldsmiths in New Cross in 2024 after facing a number of challenges during his studies, including living with a disability.

He experiences chronic pain because one of his legs is shorter than the other, a condition which affects his spine and makes walking long distances difficult. Rather than allowing his circumstances to prevent him from achieving his ambitions, Chris said his experiences strengthened his determination to advocate for others.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on the morning of his graduation, Chris said:

"I'm a person that lives with a disability. 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.

"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."

Throughout his time at Goldsmiths, Chris said the university and his tutors played an important role in helping him manage the practical difficulties associated with his disability.

One of the key forms of support was access to a suitable parking space close to the university, which Chris described as a "massive and major support".

Although the university is near New Cross Gate station, travelling by public transport could be particularly difficult for him, especially during busy morning periods.

He said:

"The nearest train station to the school is not within easy walking distance for me. The struggle of jumping in and out of the bus and train, especially during that morning rush hour—sometimes I don't get a seat, but driving to [Goldsmiths] makes life easier for me."

Now that he has completed his degree, Chris is already thinking about how he can use his experience to help others.

One of his ambitions is to establish a community-based project or potentially open a community centre aimed at supporting young people and helping steer them away from crime.

He also hopes his story will encourage other people, particularly mature students and those living with disabilities, to continue pursuing their ambitions regardless of their age or circumstances.

Chris is also a talented multi-instrumentalist, with the ability to play the drums, keyboard, guitar, bass guitar and trumpet. He hopes to draw on his musical abilities to motivate and inspire younger generations in the future.

For now, however, his immediate priority is securing his first position as a qualified social worker.

His graduation has already attracted an enthusiastic response from those around him. Chris said his phone "hasn't stopped ringing" since completing his degree, with family, friends and members of the local community celebrating his achievement.

He said: "They now see me as an inspiration, they see me as having set the pace," he says.

"They said, 'the pace that you set is so high, we'll try and catch you up on that'. So, that gladdens my heart, that my story is motivating people within my family and outside my family, and to know that with determination, you will get there."

Dr Carmen Yau, Lecturer in Social Work at Goldsmiths, praised Chris for the determination he demonstrated throughout his studies.

She said: "Chris's journey is one of extraordinary determination, courage, and hope. He reminds us that education can be transformative at any stage of life. His story has given me a powerful reminder of why we are here at Goldsmiths, why we do what we do every day. It speaks to the values that underpin social work and our education at Goldsmiths alike: belief in people's potential, resilience, and the power of hope."

At 68, Chris's achievement is more than just a degree. For him, it represents perseverance, purpose and the belief that neither age nor disability should prevent someone from pursuing their dreams.

After sharing his achievement on our Instagram page, Chris said: "I am truly grateful to TSB for sharing my story. To be a First Class Social Work Graduate is something I am very proud of. As a father of four and grandfather of 12, I hope my journey reminds others that it’s never too late to pursue your goals, learn something new or believe in yourself. Your dreams do not die because of age or disability, keep going. Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way."

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