Members of Nigeria’s deaf community, led by the Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), are calling for the compulsory teaching of sign language in schools to foster a more inclusive education environment.
At a recent gathering, NNAD officials argued that integrating Nigerian Sign Language (NSL) into school curricula would give hearing-impaired students better access to learning and reduce the sense of isolation many face in traditional classrooms.
Their demand comes amid renewed momentum from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), which has announced a policy to institutionalise sign language training in all basic education schools. UBEC’s executive secretary, Aisha Garba, said this initiative is part of a broader push for inclusive education, alongside infrastructure upgrades and teacher training programs tailored for children with special needs.
Stakeholders, including the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), have backed the call. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to introducing a formal sign language curriculum from primary to tertiary levels, arguing that NSL is a critical tool for national inclusion.
The proposed policy change would not only benefit students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing but also improve communication across society. Advocates point to a 2024 special education study that revealed a shortage of trained sign language interpreters and calls for improved training, better pay, and more robust linguistic support in schools.
As the debate intensifies, the deaf community remains hopeful that formal recognition and widespread teaching of sign language will mark a significant step in closing communication barriers and ensuring equitable education for all Nigerians.
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