Pupils from three primary schools in Oyo State demonstrated impressive proficiency in sign language during the maiden edition of the Goldenfinger Inter-School Sign Language Competition, an initiative designed to promote inclusive education, improve communication skills and ensure that no learner is excluded because of hearing impairment or language barriers.
The competition, themed “Building a Future Where No Student Is Excluded,” brought together participants from Lord Kiddies School, Oyo, Victory School, Ilora, and Calvary Crown School, Ilora, providing a platform for pupils to display their understanding of sign language while encouraging schools to embrace inclusive teaching practices.
At the end of the keenly contested event, Lord Kiddies School, Abojupa Scheme, Oyo, emerged overall champion with 121 points, while Victory School, Ilora, finished second with 104 points. Calvary Crown School, Ilora, secured third place after scoring 102 points.
The participating pupils were evaluated on a range of communication skills, including finger spelling, the correct signing of commonly used words—particularly family-related expressions such as father, mother, uncle and aunty—as well as speed, fluency and signing accuracy. The assessment was intended to measure both their technical competence and practical application of sign language.
Speaking during the event, the founder of Goldenfinger, Badmus Adetola, explained that the competition was conceived to create greater awareness of sign language and encourage schools to adopt more inclusive approaches to teaching and learning.
She described the programme as more than a competition, noting that it celebrates diversity, promotes effective communication and demonstrates that every child, regardless of hearing ability, deserves equal opportunities to learn and excel academically. She added that the initiative seeks to remove communication barriers that often limit the educational experiences of learners with hearing impairments.
Adetola further expressed optimism that introducing sign language to more pupils at an early stage would strengthen social inclusion, improve interaction between hearing and deaf learners and foster a school environment where diversity is embraced rather than overlooked.
The event also featured goodwill messages from education advocates and disability inclusion promoters, who commended the organisers for creating a platform that encourages children to develop communication skills beyond conventional spoken language.
Among them, Akhere Akran of the Agatha Obiageli Aghedo Memorial Foundation described the initiative as an important step towards building pupils’ confidence and expanding equal educational opportunities for children irrespective of their physical abilities. Similarly, Olonade Adeola, the Special Guest of Honour, encouraged the pupils to continue learning sign language, describing it as an essential tool for bridging communication gaps between hearing and deaf communities.
The winning school received a plaque, certificates, sign language learning materials and a cash prize, while the second-placed school also received certificates, educational materials and financial rewards. The third-placed team was presented with consolation prizes, and all six participating pupils received cash gifts in recognition of their outstanding performances.
The competition comes at a time when increasing attention is being given to inclusive education in Nigeria. Education specialists have continued to emphasise the importance of creating learning environments where children with disabilities can participate fully alongside their peers through accessible teaching methods, specialised learning resources and appropriate communication support.
The maiden competition is expected to inspire more schools to introduce sign language clubs and inclusive learning programmes while encouraging pupils to appreciate diversity and develop communication skills that promote empathy, accessibility and equal participation in education.
