OSOGBO/Nigeria: The South-West Association of the Deaf (SWAD) has called on governments across the six South-West states to take stronger measures to improve access to education, employment and public services for persons with hearing disabilities.
The appeal came on Thursday in Badagry during the opening of the association’s fourth South-West Culture and Arts Festival, where its leaders said many deaf persons continue to face barriers that limit their opportunities despite possessing the skills and qualifications to contribute to national development.
Addressing journalists, SWAD Chairman, Dr. Taiwo Akangbe, said inadequate educational support and limited employment opportunities remain major challenges confronting members of the deaf community across the region.
He urged state governments to invest more in special education by providing appropriate learning materials, expanding access to books and recruiting additional teachers trained to work with learners who have hearing impairments.
Akangbe also advocated greater involvement of parents in programmes designed for deaf children, saying stronger collaboration between families and schools would improve learning outcomes and social integration.
Beyond education, he appealed to governments to ensure persons with hearing disabilities are actively included in public programmes and development initiatives rather than being sidelined because of their disability.
The association also renewed its call for improved employment opportunities, noting that many qualified deaf graduates remain unemployed despite possessing professional qualifications and skills.
Former SWAD Chairman and Coordinator, Mr. Omotola Ezekiel, urged governments and employers to broaden employment opportunities for persons with hearing disabilities beyond the education sector, stressing that many are capable of contributing effectively in different professions.
On the preservation of indigenous culture, Dr. Agatha Olaninyi from Osun State called for the documentation and promotion of Yoruba Sign Language, describing sign language as a vital component of the cultural identity of the deaf community.
She said developing and preserving a recognised Yoruba Sign Language would help strengthen communication, protect indigenous heritage and promote inclusive education for future generations.
Speaking on the festival, Akangbe said this year’s edition, themed “The Deaf of Southwest Nigeria: Preserving and Leveraging Yoruba Culture for Global Impacts,” is designed to celebrate Yoruba cultural heritage while providing a platform for advocacy, artistic expression and community engagement.
According to him, participants drawn from across the South-West will take part in cultural exhibitions, performances, educational sessions, sporting activities and networking programmes aimed at strengthening unity within the deaf community and promoting greater inclusion in society.
The association expressed optimism that the festival would not only showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region but also draw renewed attention to the need for policies that guarantee equal educational, economic and social opportunities for persons with hearing disabilities.
