Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Professor Julius Ademokoya, has emphasised the need for the development of deaf education by training professional teachers.

Ademokoya, a Professor of Speech Languages and Deaf Education at the University of Ibadan, also harped on the need for an increase in the budgeting allocation to the education sector, saying the step would further boost its development and make a positive impact in the country.

The den said the development would not only advance effective learning but enable inclusive education plans for deaf learners and boost the development of education in Nigeria.

Describing the deaf and the People With Disabilities (PWD) as very vital in society, the Senior Lecturer  commended the leadership of the National Assembly for introducing sign language interpreters in the two chambers and stressed the need for all tiers of government to give maximum attention to the advancement of deaf education and ensure equitable inclusive education plans for deaf learners.

Speaking on the theme of the conference entitled “Empowering Deaf Learner in Inclusive Education” the don, lamented over what he called stigmatisation and neglect of the deaf and members of the PWDs, he advocated the need for cultural and language barrier to meaningful inclusive education of the deaf persons into the society.

He equally suggested the need for the government at all levels to include deaf students in mainstream educational institutions of learning.

He also stressed the need for policy formulation and advocacy related to deaf education.

The Vice-Chancellor of Wesley University Ondo, Right Reverend Professor Sunday Obeka, stated that the University aims to strengthen the teaching and inclusion of Deaf programs across other regions in Africa.

The Executive Director of the Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) Abuja, Nigeria, Barrister Eden Catherine Chinyere, emphasized that inclusive education entails providing all necessary resources to ensure that every learners are fully supported in all sectors.

The Director of the National Resource Centre for the Disabled at the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Alhaji Dagbo Sulaiman Saka further emphasized the importance of listening to deaf learners, as only they can express their grievances.

Dr. Soji Gabriel, the Dean of the College of Education and Director of Deaf and Special Needs Education at Wesley University Ondo, commended the University for being the first private institution in Nigeria to truly practice inclusive education for deaf learners.

According to him, the deaf community needs to be understood as inclusion is not a choice but a right.