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| Picture of Sammy obtained from Tribune |
At 21, Sammy Samaila has never eaten solid food, yet he attends lectures daily and continues his studies with determination as a final-year Sociology student at Gombe State University.
While fellow students rely on regular meals between classes, Samaila survives entirely on liquids, often carrying pap and other drinks in a flask to sustain himself throughout the day on campus.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, he explained that since childhood his diet has consisted mainly of pap, tom brown made from millet, groundnuts and soya beans, alongside juices and other beverages.
The student, who hails from Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, recalled that attempts to eat solid food began triggering vomiting when he was about four years old, prompting repeated medical examinations which found no physical abnormality.
Despite the absence of a clear diagnosis, Samaila said he depends on supplements and medication to maintain strength, admitting that he tires easily and avoids strenuous activities, while his younger brother often stays close to assist him.
He revealed that although he has lived without solid food for over two decades, he learned cooking from his mother and prepares meals for others, even as he hopes to one day eat normally and meet people facing similar conditions.
His father, Samaila Yaro, recounted years of hospital visits and medical tests, including specialist examinations that confirmed no structural health problems, adding that the family rejected cultural explanations that linked the condition to superstition.
Medical experts who reviewed his case suggested the condition could be related to functional feeding disorders such as Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder or swallowing coordination challenges, as Samaila continues to pursue his education with resilience while approaching graduation.
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