Abuja, Nigeria – September 23, 2025
In a powerful display of unity and advocacy, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and the Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) joined millions across the globe yesterday to commemorate the International Day of Sign Language (IDSL) with a resounding call for the recognition of Nigerian Sign Language (NSL) as an official language of the nation.
The commemoration, held under the global theme “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights” and the Nigerian sub-theme “Advancing Deaf Identity and Inclusion Through Nigerian Sign Language Recognition,” featured an awareness walk from the National Human Rights Commission to the National Assembly. Participants—drawn from the Deaf community, civil society organizations, disability rights advocates, and allies—marched through Abuja’s streets, making a historic appeal for language justice, inclusion, and equality.
“A Bridge to Inclusion, Equality, and Dignity”
Speaking at the event, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of NCPWD, praised NNAD for its relentless leadership in championing the rights of Deaf Nigerians. He emphasized that sign language is not merely a communication tool but a lifeline for millions who depend on it to access education, healthcare, justice, and civic participation.
“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,” Hon. Gufwan declared. “From classrooms to hospitals, from workplaces to parliament, sign language is central to ensuring equal opportunity and true inclusion.”
Hon. Gufwan reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the adoption of NSL, calling on the National Assembly to demonstrate bold leadership by:
- Recognizing Nigerian Sign Language (NSL) as an official language alongside other national languages.
- Developing enabling policies for training and deploying professional interpreters, integrating NSL into schools, healthcare, and government institutions.
- Allocating increased funding for interpreter training and nationwide promotion of NSL to address the acute shortage of interpreters in Nigeria.
“Not a Privilege, But a Right”
Adding his voice, Mr. Haruna Muhammad Tsafe, National President of NNAD, described sign language recognition as an urgent necessity rather than a luxury. He reminded lawmakers of the existing Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which already makes provisions for sign language education and recognition under Sections 18 and 19.
“Recognizing sign language as an official language is not a privilege, it is a right,” Tsafe said firmly. “It is the foundation of an inclusive Nigeria where no citizen is left behind.”
His remarks drew loud applause from participants, many of whom carried placards with bold inscriptions such as “Sign Language = Human Rights” and “Inclusion Begins with Language Recognition.”
A Call to Lawmakers and Stakeholders
The commemoration, which drew lawmakers, women’s rights activists, youth advocates, and members of the media, reinforced the urgency of recognizing NSL at the constitutional level. Advocates argued that without formal recognition, millions of Nigerians remain excluded from opportunities and services—undermining the nation’s commitment to equity and justice.
Stakeholders also stressed that sign language recognition is not only about accessibility but also about nation-building, since language is central to identity, culture, and social cohesion.
Global Context and National Significance
This year’s International Day of Sign Language carried special weight in Nigeria, where the Deaf community is estimated at nearly 10 million people. Advocates noted that while other languages, including Chinese, have been formally recognized within Nigeria’s education and cultural exchange systems, NSL—Nigeria’s indigenous language of the Deaf—remains unrecognized at the national level.
For many, this irony underscores the urgency of legislative reform. “How can a language spoken by millions of Nigerians be invisible in our Constitution, while foreign languages receive recognition?” one participant asked during the march.
A Symbol of Civilization and Progress
The NCPWD and NNAD ended the event with a united declaration, urging the government, civil society, and the private sector to treat sign language recognition as a symbol of equality, accessibility, and civilization. They stressed that true democracy cannot thrive where citizens are silenced or excluded because of the language they use.
As the global community marks International Day of Sign Language, the voices from Abuja have added momentum to a movement that is no longer waiting on the sidelines. The Deaf community, supported by allies across Nigeria, has made its demand clear: recognize Nigerian Sign Language now, and build a future where no one is left behind.
Follow the The Qualitative Magazine channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VanfIB50wajpjGi3JJ1G
