A young Nigerian hairstylist, Nagi Susan Chizhim from Rivers State, is living with rhinoscleroma, a rare chronic bacterial infection that has affected her nose and gradually spread to her eyes, yet she continues to push forward with determination despite the physical and social challenges.
The condition, which has impacted her vision and daily life, has also taken a toll on her education and personal dreams.
In an emotional reflection on her journey, she lamented the setback, saying she “would have been a graduate” if not for the illness, highlighting how much it has disrupted her academic path.
Despite the difficulties, Susan continues to work as a hairstylist, refusing to let her condition define her.
Speaking to BBC News Pidgin, she opened up about the social stigma she faces daily.
“Most of them go gossip me for back. But for my front, some people go, maybe sounds like Jesus Christ. Some go, look you, you get. Everybody go, they look you,” she said.
She added that she has learned to ignore the stares and comments as she goes about her work.
“Me too, I don’t really care because I go about my day. I just go. If you look me too, I look you small, we pass,” she said, describing how she copes with public reactions while focusing on her livelihood.
Doctors have diagnosed her condition as rhinoscleroma, a rare disease caused by the bacterium Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis, which can cause progressive nasal and facial complications and, in some cases, spread to other parts of the body. Susan explained how it started, “I noticed something grew inside my eye, very small. At that time, my parents tried to treat it but we didn’t know it was a nasal condition causing the issue. Finally, after all the tests, doctors did a biopsy and said the rhinoscleroma condition would grow to those points and that I would need proper surgery because a whole lot was already happening inside the eyes.”
She was later referred from the Federal Medical Centre in Bayelsa for advanced treatment abroad, with doctors estimating the surgery cost at about ₦30 million. Despite the overwhelming financial burden, she remains hopeful about her future and recovery.
“My work speaks for me,” she said. “When they see my work, they say, ‘Ah, she tried for the work,’ and they want to patronize me. So they forget the thing on my face and look at my work. My work is okay. I forget about the condition, except when I look in the mirror.”
Even with the challenges, Susan maintains a strong belief in better days ahead. “I believe I will achieve everything, even with the condition. The remaining ones, I believe I will achieve by the grace of God,” she said.
Her story was originally shared in an interview with BBC News Pidgin, where she continues to seek support for her treatment.
Her account details have also been circulated for assistance: Susan Chizhim, Fidelity Bank, 6328101813.
