By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
In commemorating the International Day of Sign Language, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, NCPWD, in collaboration with the Nigerian National Association of the Deaf, NNAD, joined the global community with a renewed call on the National Assembly to formally recognize Nigerian Sign Language, NSL as an official language.
The commemoration began with an awareness walk from the National Human Rights Commission to the National Assembly and was held under the global theme “No Human Rights without Sign Language Rights” and the sub-theme “Advancing Deaf Identity and Inclusion Through Nigerian Sign Language Recognition.”
This was contained in a statement issued by Ishaku Kigbu, Head of Media and Publicity at the Commission, highlighting the event as a platform to press home the demand for the recognition of NSL in governance, education, healthcare, and other aspects of public life.
Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, in his remarks, praised NNAD’s steadfast leadership in advancing the rights of the deaf community. He noted that while sign language is a bridge to inclusion and equality, it remains undervalued in Nigeria.
“The lack of recognition and support for sign language in Nigeria is not just an oversight; it is a form of discrimination that undermines the daily lives of millions who rely on it,” Gufwan said.
He urged lawmakers to take bold steps, including officially recognizing NSL, implementing enabling policies, and expanding funding for interpreter training.
Also, NNAD President, Mr. Haruna Muhammad Tsafe, echoed these demands, stressing that recognition is a right, not a privilege, and should be enshrined in the ongoing constitutional review.
Both NCPWD and NNAD reaffirmed their joint commitment to advancing disability rights, calling on government, civil society, and the private sector to promote sign language as a symbol of equality and inclusion.
