The Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, has announced plans to introduce Sign Language Interpreting as a course of study at the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and bachelor’s degree levels as part of efforts to expand communication access and promote the rights of deaf people.
The Provost of the College, Dr. Ademola Rauf Salami, disclosed this during the institution’s commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL), organised by the Directorate of Sign Language Interpreting in collaboration with the College Deaf Community.
The celebration, held on Friday, October 16, featured a public lecture themed “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights Through Effective Multimodal Inclusive Communication.” It followed a sensitisation rally on Thursday, October 15, from the College to the Jobele Police Division, hospitals in Oyo State and the Durbar Police Station in Oyo.
Represented by the Deputy Provost, Dr. M.A. Oladimeji, Salami reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to strengthening language accessibility and promoting effective communication between deaf and hearing people, with the broader goal of making Nigerian Sign Language widely understood across the country.
He disclosed that the College had introduced a sign language proficiency initiative for its staff, which was later extended to members of the public through a training programme that had produced hundreds of proficient signers.
The Provost also congratulated participants who completed the training and passed the proficiency tests, urging them to apply their skills to expand communication access for deaf people rather than regard their certificates merely as academic achievements. He commended the Directorate of Sign Language Interpreting for its efforts to bridge communication gaps and promote the inclusion of the Deaf Community.
Earlier, the Director of Sign Language Interpreting, Mr. Oyesoro Yemisi Oyefemi, emphasised that sign language is more than a communication tool, describing it as an essential part of the linguistic and cultural heritage of deaf people and a foundation for accessing education, healthcare, justice, employment and information.
Oyefemi stressed that protecting the human rights of deaf people requires practical action to ensure that their rights are respected, upheld and enforced. He highlighted the critical role of sign language interpreters in facilitating equitable access to education, providing accurate and ethical interpreting services, and training hearing individuals in sign language.
He appreciated the College Management, particularly the Provost, for prioritising language access and called on stakeholders to create an inclusive environment where sign language is embraced, respected and promoted.
The Chairman of the College Deaf Community, Mr. Bamidele W. Raji, commended the institution for its longstanding contribution to inclusive education and urged members of the Deaf Community to continue collaborating with management, interpreters, staff and other stakeholders to build an environment where their rights are recognised and their voices influence the future of inclusive education.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. O.W. Omobosola, described sign language as an essential tool for deaf people, warning that inadequate access to the language could prevent them from benefiting from numerous opportunities. He said the Provost had directed the College to participate actively in the global observance and assured participants that the Directorate would sustain the annual celebration.
The public lecture featured presentations by Dr. A.A. Akinola and Dr. Y.R. Balogun, who addressed the importance of inclusive classroom communication, deaf people’s participation in decisions affecting them, and collaboration among stakeholders.
Akinola spoke on “Ensuring Deaf People’s Human Rights Through Effective Multisensory and Multimodal Classroom Communication: Deaf Involvement as a Key Stakeholder,” while Balogun presented on “Ensuring Deaf People’s Human Rights Through Effective Multisensory and Multimodal Classroom Communication: Stakeholder Collaboration.”
Both speakers emphasised the right of deaf people to access knowledge, communicate freely, receive quality education and participate fully in society. They also called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that the rights of deaf people, as recognised by law, are protected and fulfilled, stressing that inclusion is a collective responsibility rather than an act of favour.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to participants from different states across Nigeria who had completed the College’s sign language training programme, either physically or online, and successfully passed the proficiency tests.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the Acting Bursar, Dr. S.T. Adegbite; the representative of the College Registrar, Mrs. O. Ibitoye, Deputy Registrar, Examinations and Records; the Dean of Vocational and Technical Education, Dr. Olubunmi Olabode; the Director of NRCD, Dr. Y.O. Bolaji; deputy bursars; deputy registrars; staff of the Directorate of Sign Language Interpreting; invited guests; and other members of the College community.
The celebration underscored the importance of sign language education, accessible communication and collaboration in advancing the rights, dignity and inclusion of deaf people.
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