In an SMS interview on Monday, Eromosele noted that most interpreters were not readily available as their services were no longer free. This has made it difficult for the deaf to access essential services and communicate with others.
Eromosele also expressed concern that the shortage of interpreters was affecting the education of deaf children in the state. He called on the government and private institutions to provide more interpreters to enable the deaf to participate fully in society.
The shortage of sign language interpreters is a major challenge for the deaf community in Nigeria. Despite the country's Sign Language Interpreters Association's efforts to provide training for interpreters, there is still a shortage of skilled professionals.
In 2018, the Nigerian government recognised sign language as the 23rd official language in the country. However, the lack of interpreters remains a significant obstacle for the deaf in accessing education, healthcare, and other essential services.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated the situation, with many public health messages not being translated into sign language. This has made it difficult for the deaf to access information about the virus and prevention measures.
The shortage of interpreters has been a longstanding issue in Nigeria, with many deaf people calling on the government to do more to address the problem. The lack of access to interpreters has not only affected the deaf community but has also had a negative impact on their families and friends.
The government and private institutions have been urged to take steps to address the shortage of interpreters in Edo State and other parts of Nigeria. This includes providing funding for training programs, hiring interpreters, and making their services more readily available.
There have been some positive developments in recent years, with more institutions and organisations providing sign language interpreters for events and services. However, there is still a long way to go to ensure that the deaf has equal access to education, healthcare, and other essential services in Nigeria.