Lagos – The Lagos State University (LASU) has granted provisional approval for the establishment of the Sign Language Ambassador Club (SLAC), marking a significant step toward promoting inclusive education and bridging the communication gap between hearing and non-hearing communities on campus.
The approval, which was communicated in an official letter signed by Mr. Popoola Ibrahim I., Principal Assistant Registrar, for the Deputy Registrar of the Students’ Affairs Division, gives the green light for the club to operate within the institution for the 2024/2025 academic session.
According to the letter made available to Inclusive News Network (INN), the university emphasized that the approval is temporary and will expire at the end of the current academic year. The club will be required to renew its registration in line with university procedures for the 2025/2026 session. The Acting Dean of the Students’ Affairs Division advised SLAC to comply fully with all university rules and regulations.
In response, the club’s president, Akintibubo Saheed Adedotun, expressed gratitude to the university authorities and reaffirmed SLAC’s commitment to upholding the institution’s standards. He described the approval as a major milestone in the club’s mission to promote the use and understanding of sign language across the university and in broader society.
Adedotun noted that with the approval, the club has begun its journey toward eliminating communication barriers that exist between hearing individuals and members of the deaf or hard-of-hearing community. He emphasized that the club is determined to ensure full inclusion of students with hearing impairments in both academic and social life by facilitating access to trained sign language interpreters, providing peer support, and advocating for policy reforms within the university system.
He further explained that the club aims to change perceptions of deafness by cultivating a campus culture that values and understands deafness as a unique identity rather than a limitation. This will be achieved through awareness campaigns, community events, and interactive learning experiences. SLAC also hopes to nurture student ambassadors who are passionate about disability rights and inclusion, and who are trained in sign language to serve as interpreters and allies within and beyond the university.
Through sustained advocacy and collaboration, the club plans to influence institutional policies such as the inclusion of sign language in general education courses, the enforcement of accessibility standards in public communication, and increased engagement with deaf communities by government bodies and non-governmental organizations.
In addition, SLAC intends to empower persons with hearing impairments by building their confidence, independence, and sense of belonging through mentorship and skill-building programs. The club is also exploring partnerships with schools for the deaf, NGOs, relevant government ministries, and international organizations like UNICEF and WHO to strengthen support and visibility for deaf education and accessibility initiatives.
Adedotun concluded by stating that the club envisions a future where no student at LASU feels excluded due to hearing impairment, where sign language is widely embraced in public communication across Lagos State, and where deaf persons across Nigeria can access education, employment, and leadership opportunities without discrimination.
INN reports that, the founder of the Sign Language Ambassadors Club, Oyeniyi Kudus, is a sign language interpreter, special educator, and a passionate advocate for the deaf and inclusive community. His vision for a more accessible and inclusive society laid the foundation for the creation of SLAC, which continues to grow in influence and impact.
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