Disability rights advocates have renewed calls for greater inclusion and visibility within Nigeria’s National Assembly, particularly emphasizing the full integration of sign language interpreters in all legislative proceedings and televised broadcasts.
This advocacy came to the fore during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja, convened by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Key disability organizations including TAF Africa, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), and the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria participated in the session, highlighting long-standing issues of marginalization and limited accessibility within Nigeria’s legislative space.
Jake Epelle, Founder of TAF Africa, criticized the current token presence of sign language interpreters at plenary sessions, noting that their visibility on NASS TV remains minimal.
“Cameras hardly focus on them,” Epelle said. “There must be intentional integration of interpreters into the media coverage team to ensure that deaf Nigerians can follow proceedings in real time.”
Lawrence Idemudia of the NCPWD raised additional concerns including the lack of physical accessibility to legislative chambers, absence of safety gear for interpreters during sessions, and the persistence of discriminatory mindsets within government structures.
John Bamidele, President of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria, advocated for formal recognition of Nigerian Sign Language as a national language. He also called for the establishment of a regulatory and certification body for interpreters, alongside structured employment and funding mechanisms.
The stakeholders collectively called on the federal government to accelerate the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act and ensure inclusive practices across sectors like education, health, and justice. They also emphasized the need for ongoing professional development opportunities for interpreters.
In response, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Disabilities, Hon. Bashiru Dawodu, outlined a number of forthcoming legislative reforms aimed at deepening inclusion.
“For the first time in Nigeria’s parliamentary history, sign language interpreters are now present at plenary sessions,” Kalu noted. “Going forward, we will guarantee their full visibility on NASS TV using a screen-in-screen broadcast feature and establish formal protocols for accessibility.”
Kalu also unveiled plans to introduce a Disability Compliance Scorecard for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), set up a National Disability Infrastructure Fund, and earmark disability-specific budget lines in federal agencies.
Additional initiatives include convening constituency town halls on disability issues, appointing disability desk officers in legislative offices, and organizing a National Dialogue on Disability Inclusion before the end of 2025.
The Deputy Speaker further committed to increased funding for disability-related programs and mandatory inclusion-awareness training for National Assembly staff. He also pledged to co-develop a Legislative Disability Inclusion Handbook in collaboration with advocacy organizations.
While participants welcomed these commitments as a significant step forward, they emphasized that the real test lies in consistent implementation and institutional accountability.
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