Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has appealed to the government to recognize sign language as a second official language.
The JAMB Registrar was speaking during a lecture at the 6th 2024 University Lecture, titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of the Humanities,” held at the University of Ilorin.
The move, according to Prof Oloyede, will significantly improve the quality of life for individuals living with disabilities, making their daily experiences more manageable and enjoyable.
He explained further that adopting sign language will facilitate more effective and meaningful interactions between people living with disabilities and the general public.
Prof Oloyede, who specifically recommended Hausa sign language due to its widespread reach and usage across Nigeria and beyond, noted that while different languages have unique sign languages, Hausa sign language stands out for its extensive coverage and potential to bridge communication gaps.
By Sola Rotimi