Abuja, Nigeria – The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusivity and breaking barriers faced by deaf persons in Nigeria as it joins the global community to commemorate the 2025 International Week of the Deaf (IWD).
This year’s celebration, themed “With Deaf People, We Can Achieve,” shines a spotlight on the voices, rights, and aspirations of deaf persons while calling for stronger collaborations to ensure their full inclusion in society.
Speaking during the commemoration, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, emphasized that the week should not merely be seen as a symbolic observance but as a powerful reminder of resilience, creativity, and contributions of deaf persons to the growth of Nigeria.
“The International Week of the Deaf is not just a celebration; it is a powerful reminder of the resilience, creativity, and contributions of deaf persons to our society,” Hon. Gufwan stated. “At NCPWD, we are committed to promoting accessible communication, enforcing the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, and ensuring that deaf persons have equal opportunities to thrive. With deaf people, indeed, we can achieve a society that is inclusive, just, and progressive.”
Strategic Steps for Inclusivity
Over the years, the NCPWD has rolled out key initiatives aimed at creating a more enabling environment for deaf Nigerians. These include:
- Promoting sign language interpretation in government institutions and public events.
- Supporting the training and certification of sign language interpreters across the six geopolitical zones.
- Driving awareness campaigns to change public perceptions about deafness.
- Partnering with disability organizations and stakeholders to advance deaf inclusion in education, employment, and civic participation.
Through these initiatives, the Commission has continued to demonstrate its resolve to implement the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and to ensure that the rights of deaf persons are not only protected but actively promoted.
Call to Action
In line with the spirit of the International Week of the Deaf, the Commission has called on government agencies, the private sector, civil society, the media, and the general public to stand in solidarity with deaf Nigerians by recognizing their dignity, rights, and potential.
“The society we build must not see accessibility and inclusivity as privileges but as guaranteed rights,” the Commission noted. “This is the true pathway to a Nigeria where no one is left behind.”
Global and National Significance
The International Week of the Deaf, initiated by the World Federation of the Deaf, is celebrated annually during the last full week of September. It serves as an international platform for advocacy, awareness, and solidarity, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of deaf persons worldwide.
In Nigeria, the commemoration comes at a crucial time when the call for disability-inclusive governance and policies is gaining momentum. Advocates believe that the inclusion of deaf persons is a litmus test for the nation’s commitment to human rights and equity.
Conclusion
As the 2025 International Week of the Deaf is observed under the theme “With Deaf People, We Can Achieve,” NCPWD’s message resonates strongly: true national progress can only be achieved when every citizen—hearing or deaf—is given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the society.
With ongoing reforms, advocacy, and partnerships, the Commission has pledged to continue working toward a Nigeria where accessibility, inclusivity, and equity are not optional but fundamental rights guaranteed for all citizens.
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