The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is working to make sign language instruction a standard practice in all basic schools across Nigeria as part of its drive for inclusive education.
Aisha Garba, executive secretary of UBEC, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child celebration.
Speaking under the theme “Lead a Change: Learn Sign Language Today,” Garba emphasised the integration of sign language as a key component of the commission’s inclusive education initiatives.
The UBEC head explained that a policy has already been established to ensure that teaching and learning of sign language become standard in all basic education institutions.
“Imagine a country where hospitals, banks, supermarkets, airports, and schools have sign language interpreters, then you will have a system without communication barriers for our hearing-impaired children,” she said.
“That is the vision we are working towards, one school, one change at a time.”
Garba added that UBEC’s school policy now requires the inclusion of accessibility features such as ramps, enabling children with physical disabilities to move freely and with dignity.
She further noted that the commission, in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), is investing in training teachers and providing digital learning tools tailored for children with special needs.
The executive secretary also reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to child safety, stating that bullying has been officially banned in all basic education schools.
She said child protection systems are being strengthened to ensure schools remain safe environments for learning and personal development.
“No girl should suffer in silence or face abuse, especially one with reduced ability to cry out,” she stated.
Echoing UBEC’s stance, Suwaiba Ahmad, minister of state for education, urged stakeholders to break down barriers to education and guarantee that every girl has a voice and equal opportunity to succeed.
Ahmad praised UBEC for expanding inclusive learning programmes and ensuring that all Nigerian children benefit from free, compulsory, and quality basic education.
She also stressed that sign language must become an essential tool for bridging communication gaps in classrooms across the country.
“Sign language is a bridge, not a barrier. It connects minds, shapes friendships, and unlocks futures,” the minister said.
“We must train more interpreters, integrate sign language into teacher training curricula, and equip classrooms for visual-gestural communication.”
Ahmad called for policy harmony, coordinated funding, and synchronised programmes across different levels of government to ensure that girls, especially those with disabilities, can transition smoothly from primary education to higher learning or vocational training.
She acknowledged that poverty, stigma, and safety concerns still pose challenges for many girls, and urged sustained collective efforts to eliminate these barriers.
“While progress has been made, many girls still face obstacles,” she said.