The Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, on Friday, 16th October 2026, commemorated the 2026 International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) with a public lecture organised by the Directorate of Sign Language Interpreting in collaboration with the College Deaf Community.
The celebration commenced on Thursday, 15th October 2026, with a rally from the College to the Jobele Police Division, Oyo State hospitals, and the Durbar Police Station, Oyo. The public lecture, themed “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights Through Effective Multimodal Inclusive Communication,” featured two guest speakers, Dr. A.A. Akinola and Dr. Y.R. Balogun, who addressed critical issues surrounding the human rights of deaf people, inclusive communication, and stakeholder collaboration.
In his welcome address, the Director of Sign Language Interpreting, Mr. Oyesoro Yemisi Oyefemi, emphasised the significance of the International Day of Sign Languages, describing it as a global event dedicated to celebrating the sociolinguistic diversity of deaf people and recognising sign languages as an essential part of their cultural heritage. He noted that the observance is rooted in the United Nations’ commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of deaf people. Speaking on the theme, Oyefemi stressed that declaring the human rights of deaf people goes beyond mere pronouncements, as their rights must be respected, protected, upheld, and enforced through practical action.
In his words, “Language rights encompass almost all other rights. Sign language is the linguistic and cultural heritage of deaf people, and it is more than just a means of communication. It is the basis for a meaningful livelihood, serving as an essential instrument for accessing education, healthcare, justice, employment, information, and other vital aspects of human life.”
He appreciated the College Management, particularly the Provost, Dr. Ademola Rauf Salami, for prioritising effective and quality language access for deaf people. He also highlighted the indispensable role of sign language interpreters in promoting and protecting their human rights through equitable access to inclusive education, accurate and ethical interpreting, and sign language training for hearing individuals.
According to him, the College remains committed to removing language barriers by providing access to sign language interpreting services and training, thereby bridging communication gaps and facilitating meaningful interactions between deaf and hearing individuals. He concluded by urging participants to foster an inclusive environment where sign language is not merely recognised but also embraced, respected, and promoted, stressing that protecting the rights of deaf people is a collective responsibility.
The Chairman of the College Deaf Community, Mr. Bamidele W. Raji, congratulated the College and the Deaf Community, noting that the institution has consistently demonstrated leadership as a pioneering force in inclusive education across Africa. He stated that the celebration was not only an opportunity to acknowledge the College’s historic legacy but also to recognise its continued efforts to advance equity and accessibility. He urged members of the Deaf Community to continue working closely with the Management, interpreters, staff, and the entire College community to build an environment where their rights are recognised and respected and their voices help shape the future of inclusive education. He thereafter wished everyone a happy celebration.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. O.W. Omobosola, described sign language as an essential tool for deaf people, noting that without access to and understanding of sign language, they risk missing out on numerous opportunities.
He disclosed that the Provost had directed that the College must actively participate in the global celebration of the International Day of Sign Languages. He added that the College commenced its observance last year and assured participants that the Directorate of Sign Language Interpreting would continue to champion the annual celebration.
The Provost, Dr. Ademola Rauf Salami, who was represented by the Deputy Provost, Dr. M.A. Oladimeji, underscored the importance of language, describing it not merely as an instrument of communication but also as a defining feature of humanity and a means of expressing cultural diversity.
Salami reaffirmed the College’s commitment to strengthening language access and promoting inclusion to ensure equitable opportunities for members of the Deaf Community. He noted that the College was deliberately pursuing initiatives to improve language accessibility and encourage effective communication between deaf and hearing people, with the broader objective of making Nigerian Sign Language a household language in Nigeria. To achieve this objective, he disclosed that the College had commenced a sign language proficiency initiative for staff members, which was subsequently extended to the general public through a sign language training programme. The initiative, he noted, had produced hundreds of proficient signers.
He further announced that the College would soon commence a sign language interpreting programme as a course of study at both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and bachelor’s degree levels. The initiative is expected to strengthen access to sign language interpreting services and remove communication barriers faced by deaf people. The Provost commended the Directorate of Sign Language Interpreting for its tremendous efforts towards bridging communication gaps and promoting the rights and inclusion of the Deaf Community within the College.
He also congratulated participants who had completed their sign language training and passed the proficiency tests. He charged the certificate recipients to utilise the knowledge and skills acquired to expand communication access for deaf people rather than regard the certificates merely as academic achievements. He wished participants a successful celebration and formally declared the 2026 International Day of Sign Languages open.
The public lecture featured two presentations. Dr. A.A. Akinola spoke on “Ensuring Deaf People’s Human Rights Through Effective Multisensory and Multimodal Classroom Communication: Deaf Involvement as a Key Stakeholder,” while Dr. Y.R. Balogun delivered a presentation titled “Ensuring Deaf People’s Human Rights Through Effective Multisensory and Multimodal Classroom Communication: Stakeholder Collaboration.”
Both speakers acknowledged the unique linguistic and communication needs of deaf people, emphasising their right to access knowledge, communicate freely, and participate fully in social interactions. They stressed the need to provide deaf people with equal access to quality education and opportunities for active participation in society.
The speakers also called for stronger collaboration among relevant stakeholders to ensure that the rights of deaf people are fully protected and enforced. They emphasised that these rights are recognised by law and that ensuring their fulfilment is not an act of favour but a collective obligation.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to participants from different states across the country who had completed the sign language training programme, either physically or online, and successfully passed the sign language proficiency tests.
Dignitaries and other attendees included the Acting Bursar, Dr. S.T. Adegbite; the representative of the College Registrar, Mrs. O. Ibitoye, Deputy Registrar, Examinations and Records; Dean, Vocational and Technical Education, Dr. Olubunmi Olabode; Director NRCD, Dr. Y.O. Bolaji; Deputy Bursars; Deputy Registrars; staff members of the Directorate of Sign Language Interpreting; invited guests; and other members of the College community.
The Directorate of Information and Public Relations congratulates the Directorate of Sign Language Interpreting, the College Deaf Community, the certificate recipients, and all stakeholders working towards the promotion of sign language, accessibility, and the rights of deaf people.
Happy International Day of Sign Languages!
Source: Directorate of Information and Public Relations
Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
