Doctor gets degree after Ukraine war escape

Anuoluwapo Ojo settled as a war refugee in the Netherlands before deferring his university place

A doctor has told how he fled Ukraine with a single bag, sparking a dramatic four-month journey to the West Midlands.

Anuoluwapo Ojo, known as Anu, was living in the country before Russia invaded in February, forcing him to flee as bombs rained down.

Originally from Nigeria, he moved to Ukraine in 2010 to study medicine.

He qualified as a doctor and decided to specialise in psychiatry before applying for further study at Coventry University.

Fighting broke out just two days after Mr Ojo received a letter offering him a place on the university's applied psychology masters course.

He said the war had shattered his whole world, causing him to run from a country he had called home for more than a decade.

Mr Ojo had to do odd jobs to raise money after fleeing Ukraine

The 29-year-old lived in the neighbourhood of Irpen, near Kyiv, and woke to the sound of explosions on 24 February 2022.

"I had only seen missile shots in movies, but I saw it with my own eyes," he said.

With airport and rail stations closed, the only way out was by car.

Mr Ojo headed for the Ukraine-Poland border where he then had to walk through fields to cross into the neighbouring country.

Short of cash

It took him four months of travelling through Poland, Germany and Belgium as he attempted to secure refugee status.

Mr Ojo said his life was largely put on hold, leaving him short of cash and his achievements temporarily "null and void".

But after settling as a war refugee in the Netherlands, he deferred his place at Coventry University and took up part-time jobs to raise money.

When he finally made it to the West Midlands, he studied for his medical licence to practise in the UK alongside his psychology masters.

Upon completing his degree last month, course director Dr Katherine Hall awarded him the university's Endeavour award for his dedication.

"Anu's achievements over the past few years are remarkable in the face of extreme challenges," she said.