The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has called for the adoption of Nigerian Sign Language (NSL) as the country’s second official national language.
Speaking at the first African Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED) in Abuja on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Oloyede emphasized the importance of this development in showing empathy toward the large number of Nigerians with hearing impairments.
“In addition, Nigeria should consider the adoption of Nigerian Sign Language as the second national official language,” he proposed, noting that this would demonstrate the country’s commitment to inclusivity.
Oloyede also urged the federal government and the National Assembly to establish well-equipped centers for persons with disabilities in each geopolitical zone. These centers, attached to the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, would receive support from JAMB’s Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) to attract technology and policies that improve the lives of individuals with special needs.
“The centre, with the assistance of bodies such as JEOG, would be able to attract appropriate technology and policies to make life and study easy for people with special needs,” Oloyede stated. He further suggested the reactivation of similar existing centers, like the Supportive Services for the Deaf at the University of Ilorin, to achieve their intended goals.
He highlighted advancements in technology that have made education more accessible, such as “smartphones enabled to convert text to speech” for the visually impaired and “signpreters that convert speech to sign language” for the hearing impaired. Oloyede noted that JAMB’s efforts must go beyond current practices to ensure equal access to higher education for all Nigerians, regardless of disability.
In his address, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, praised JAMB’s leadership for its commitment to inclusivity. “It is heart-warming to note that the theme of this conference ‘Advancing the Potentials of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in Educational and Economic Development’ speaks directly to the heart of our shared mission,” Sununu said. He emphasized the importance of creating learning environments that allow every individual to thrive, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities.
Sununu also acknowledged the efforts of the JEOG and its chairman, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, for their commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind due to disability. “Their commendable strides in ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing higher education due to disability have not only demonstrated compassion but also showcased a deep commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity,” he added.
The minister concluded by reiterating the collective responsibility of governments, academic institutions, and the private sector to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in accessing education and economic opportunities.
