The Sharing Education and Learning for Life (SELL) Foundation has called on all banks across Nigeria to employ sign language interpreters to make financial services more accessible for persons with hearing impairments.
Programme manager of the foundation Mr. Benji Benjamin, made the call in Bauchi on Wednesday during a one-day policy dialogue on inclusive services for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) with the aim of fostering awareness, compliance, and inclusive policy implementation across the public and private sectors.
Benjamin emphasised that equipping banks with sign language interpreters would significantly improve accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments.
He noted that the programme was part of ongoing national discussions aimed at building inclusive communities and infrastructure.
“At the end of the day, everyone here is expected to contribute meaningfully to this conversation. We must each find ways to help make our public and private spaces truly inclusive for all,” Benji added.
Mr. Mainas Ayuba, representing the Bauchi State Network of Disability Forum, highlighted real-life challenges faced by PWDs in banking halls, recounted the experience of a deaf customer who was unable to resolve a banking issue due to lack of interpretation services, often being ignored or provided incorrect information.
He also criticised banks with services located on upper floors, making access difficult for wheelchair users, “Sometimes, even when staff are informed that a customer is waiting downstairs, they refuse to come down,” he said.
Ayuba called for a shift in mindset around disability and advocated for institutions to respect the specific needs of PWDs, such as allowing wheelchair users to remain in their chairs during classes and examinations.
Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, Malam Haruna Pali, expressed concern over continued marginalisation and called for stronger implementation of inclusive policies.
In response, a representative of Ecobank Nigeria, Bauchi branch, Mr. Morris Choji, acknowledged the importance of the discussions and pledged to present the issues at the next Bankers’ Committee meeting.
Representatives from Wema Bank, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, Civil Society Organisations, and the State Agency for Persons with Disabilities were also present.
Many stakeholders echoed the need for full enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, stressing that meaningful change must be supported by legal and institutional action.
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