Joshua Beckford, a Nigerian-British child, made history as the youngest person ever to study at Oxford University. He was admitted at just six years old, breaking the age barrier for the program, which was originally designed for children between eight and 13.
A Child Genius from Birth
Even as a baby, Beckford showed extraordinary abilities. By 10 months old, he could already identify letters and numbers. At just two and a half years old, he was reading fluently and had begun learning Japanese and Mandarin.
His father, Knox Daniel, recognized his son’s brilliance early and took a bold step by writing to Oxford University to advocate for his admission. Beckford eventually enrolled in an online learning platform for gifted children at the prestigious university, where he excelled in Philosophy and History, earning distinctions in both subjects.
“What Joshua has achieved is something truly extraordinary. His intelligence and ability to grasp complex concepts at such a young age are beyond what most of us can imagine,” his father said.
A Future Neurosurgeon with Advanced Surgical Skills
Beckford’s talents go beyond academics. He aspires to be a neurosurgeon and has already demonstrated an impressive understanding of medical science. Using the Microsoft Surgery Simulator, he has mastered intricate surgical procedures, including cataract removal, hernia repair, and leg fracture correction. His skill with surgical instruments shows that his dream of becoming a doctor is not far-fetched.
Beyond medicine, Beckford has proven to be a gifted artist, excelling in painting and digital art. He is also highly skilled in Information Technology (IT), sports, and multiple foreign languages.
His achievements have earned him global recognition. In 2017, he won the Positive Role Model of the Year award at the UK’s National Diversity Awards. The Illumination Foundation of North Carolina also listed him among the Top 30 Most Extraordinary People Worldwide for his impact on society.
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Champion for Autism Awareness and Education
Diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Beckford has become an advocate for children with autism and special needs. He serves as the face of the National Autistic Society’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Campaign, helping to spread awareness and promote inclusion.
In addition, he is an ambassador for the Boys Mentoring Advocacy Network (BMAN), a non-governmental organization that mentors young boys and adolescents in Africa. Through this role, he supports education programs in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Giving Back to Nigeria
In 2019, Beckford and his father visited Nigeria for a special mentoring session at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he delivered a keynote speech before an audience of nearly 5,000 people. Their mission was to raise funds for a secondary school in Kaduna State to provide education for underprivileged children.
According to a statement on UNILAG’s website, the proposed Joshua Beckford Community School was designed to include classrooms, an administrative block, a laboratory, an ICT center, and an agricultural green garden.
Beckford’s story is an inspiration to children around the world. Despite his young age, he has already achieved more than most adults, proving that intelligence, passion, and determination can break all barriers.