A young Nigerian, Joshua Beckford is the youngest person who was ever admitted to Oxford University. That puts him on the plane as the most intelligent child in the world. British born Nigerian Joshua Beckford at the age of six, emerged the youngest person with autism to be accepted to Oxford University. He studied philosophy and history and graduated with distinctions in all courses he studied by age 14. A 2017 NDA winner, Beckford who nurses dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon was also listed in the top 30 most remarkable people in the world with Autism who have impacted society.
As an extraordinary kid and at just 10 months old, Beckford’s father, Knox Daniel, discovered his son’s unique learning capability while he was sitting on his lap in front of the computer. With focus on the keyboard being his interest, Daniel recalled: “I started telling Joshua what the letters on the keyboard were and I realized that he was remembering and could understand.” He at that time could identify the letters as well as the colours. At the age of three, Beckford could read fluently using phonics. He learned to speak Japanese and even taught himself to touch-type on a computer before he could learn to write.
In 2011, his father became aware of a programme at Oxford University that was specific aimed at children between the age of eight and thirteen. To challenge his son, his father wrote to Oxford with the hopes of getting admission for his child even though he was younger than the age prescribed for the programme. Fortunately, Beckford was given the chance to enroll. He became the youngest student ever accepted. The brilliant chap took a course in philosophy and history and passed both with distinction.
With his brilliance shown, Beckford was too advanced for a standard curriculum. Joshua who has always held keen interest in the affairs of Egypt throughout his studies, is working on a children’s book about the historic and ancient nation.
Beckford serves as the face of the National Autistic Society’s Black and Minority campaign, and through this helps highlight the challenges minority groups face in their attempt to acquire autism support and services.
Joshua Beckford’s list of accolades also includes being appointed Low Income Families Education (L.I.F.E) Support Ambassador for Boys Mentoring Advocacy Network in Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya and the United Kingdom.
Joshua Beckford has also won many awards including a Positive Role Model of the Year. His heart set on low income families in Africa. The young achiever is working on a project to build a school for children in Kaduna, Nigeria which has been plagued by insurgency and poverty.
