In a significant move to elevate the profession of sign language interpreters in Nigeria, the President of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria (ASLIN), Mr. Timothy Tinat, alongside members of the National Executive Council, paid a pivotal advocacy visit to Hon. (Dr.) Bashiru Dawodu, Chairman of the House Committee on Persons with Disabilities. The visit, which took place in Abuja, sought to discuss the professional recognition and development of sign language interpreters (SLIs) in Nigeria and to explore legislative support for their advancement.
During the meeting, Mr. Tinat opened the discussion by expressing heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Dawodu for his continuous efforts to uplift the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the country. He highlighted the Chairman’s contributions to disability-inclusive governance and the critical role the National Assembly plays in promoting policies that enhance the welfare of PWDs.
The primary focus of the visit was the urgent need for the formal recognition of SLIs as professionals, along with greater institutional and legislative support for their development. Mr. Tinat emphasized that sign language interpreters are indispensable to bridging communication barriers between the Deaf community and the broader society, fostering inclusion in all areas of life—especially education, healthcare, and governance.
However, the ASLIN President also raised concerns about the challenges faced by SLIs, including inadequate opportunities for professional growth, unsafe working conditions, and poor remuneration systems. He pointed out that many interpreters, faced with these setbacks, are leaving Nigeria or abandoning the profession in search of better living conditions.
“If these issues are not urgently addressed,” Tinat warned, “Nigeria will face a severe shortage of qualified SLIs in critical sectors of the economy, including education, health, and government services.” He stressed that a lack of interpreters would create communication gaps, further marginalizing the Deaf community and weakening national efforts to promote inclusion.
The advocacy visit also served as a platform to invite Dr. Dawodu to ASLIN’s upcoming national conference, themed “Mental Health and Emerging Trends in Sign Language Interpreting.” According to Mr. Tinat, the conference will provide an opportunity to address pressing issues affecting SLIs, particularly their mental well-being, and to exchange knowledge on new trends in the field. “The mental health of interpreters is crucial because of the emotional and psychological demands of the job,” he noted. “This conference will enable us to collectively develop strategies to enhance the profession.”
Responding to the delegation, Dr. Dawodu expressed deep appreciation for ASLIN’s proactive engagement and commended the association for bringing these critical issues to the legislative front. Drawing from his experiences as a medical doctor and his exposure to inclusive practices in the United States, he acknowledged the pivotal role SLIs play in ensuring effective communication between the Deaf community and the general public.
“Interpreters serve as the communication bridge between the Deaf Association and society,” Dr. Dawodu remarked. “This is why I strongly advocate for the presence of sign language interpreters in the National Assembly. Their inclusion is essential for ensuring that the Deaf community can participate fully in national discussions.”
Dr. Dawodu also expressed his commitment to championing legislation that would improve the professional standing and working conditions of SLIs in Nigeria. He assured the ASLIN team of his solidarity with the Deaf community and interpreters, promising to push for more inclusive policies that promote their development. “We will work together to ensure that the contributions of SLIs are properly recognized, and their welfare is adequately protected,” he pledged.
The ASLIN delegation included Mr. Collins Joseph, Secretary-General of the association; Mrs. Funke Martha Osadare, North Central Coordinator; and Mr. Abdulkadir Umar, North West Coordinator. Their presence underscored the collective determination within the association to advocate for reforms that would improve the practice of sign language interpreting nationwide.
The advocacy meeting marked a significant step toward addressing the systemic challenges facing SLIs and underscored the vital importance of their contribution to the inclusive development of Nigeria. Through sustained advocacy and collaboration with policymakers, ASLIN aims to secure better working conditions, increased recognition, and enhanced professional standards for sign language interpreters in the country.
The upcoming conference is expected to attract key stakeholders from across the disability sector, providing a platform for robust dialogue and solutions that will shape the future of sign language interpreting in Nigeria. ASLIN hopes that these efforts will not only address the immediate needs of interpreters but also establish a sustainable framework for the profession’s growth and relevance in the years to come.
