Iyunade Grace
The South-East Deaf Women Association has called on the Federal Government and state governments to formally recognise Nigerian Sign Language (NSL) and urgently pass the Nigerian Sign Language Bill into law.
The association made the demand as it joined the global Deaf community in marking September 2026 as International Deaf Awareness Month, with the theme, “With Sign Language, We Are All Included.”
In a statement signed by the South-East Zonal Women Leader of the association, Mrs Maria Chidimma Alufo-Ekpo, the group said legal recognition of Nigerian Sign Language was essential to promoting the rights, dignity and inclusion of Deaf and hard-of-hearing Nigerians.
The association warned that the absence of adequate sign-language services in critical institutions could create serious barriers to healthcare, education, justice and access to government services.
“Without Sign Language, Deaf people are excluded from basic human rights. Communication is a human right,” Alufo-Ekpo said.
The group urged President Bola Tinubu and state governors to support the official recognition of Nigerian Sign Language, while calling on the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to enact appropriate legislation.
It also called for Nigerian Sign Language to be introduced as a subject in public and private schools, arguing that early exposure to the language would help bridge communication gaps between Deaf and hearing Nigerians and reduce discrimination and isolation.
The association further demanded equal access to education, healthcare, employment, political participation and decision-making for Deaf women and children.
It urged governments to employ qualified Deaf women in the public service, establish scholarships and grants for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and provide appropriate learning materials and equipment.
The group also called for qualified sign-language interpreters to be provided in hospitals, courts, government agencies and other public institutions.
According to the association, improved access to sign-language interpretation would be particularly important in healthcare and the justice system, where communication barriers could prevent Deaf people from receiving appropriate services or effectively participating in legal proceedings.
The association also advocated sign-language accessibility in the media, transportation, tourism, sports, religious institutions and other public services.
It urged families of Deaf children to learn sign language to improve communication and strengthen family relationships, while calling for greater investment in education and professional training in Nigerian Sign Language.
The group maintained that legal recognition of Nigerian Sign Language would represent an important step towards building a more inclusive society and ensuring that Deaf Nigerians can participate fully in national development.
It therefore called on government institutions, civil society organisations, private organisations and disability-rights advocates to support efforts aimed at securing legal recognition and wider use of Nigerian Sign Language across the country.
