Bible Society of Nigeria launches sign language project

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has announced a series of landmark events to mark its 60th anniversary, celebrating six decades of providing Nigerians with access to the Word of God while pioneering inclusive Bible initiatives, including the first-ever Nigerian Sign Language Bible.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Saturday, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, General Secretary and CEO of BSN, said the organization, founded on February 8, 1966, remains committed to making the Bible accessible and affordable in preferred Nigerian languages and formats. “Our work is not just about distributing books, but helping Nigerians engage with the Word of God through life-transforming programmes,” Pastor Sanusi emphasized.

The 60th-anniversary celebrations, themed “Celebrating Impact and Building a Legacy of Hope,” include a Bible exhibition on February 2 at the Lagos Bible Guest House showcasing rare handwritten Bibles and a 15.4 kg Legacy Bible in five Nigerian languages. Other activities include a Bible Walk on February 3 from the National Stadium, Surulere, to Obanikoro; a partners’ appreciation dinner and commissioning of the second studio for the Deaf Bible Translation Project on February 4; and the arrival of foreign guests for a CEO conference on February 5.

Also speaking, Mr Patrick Ohakawa, BSN’s Manager of Administration and Chairman of the 60th Anniversary Planning Committee, described the milestone as a celebration of faith and service. “This 60-year milestone is not just a celebration of longevity; it is a celebration of faith, resilience, service, and sacrifice. We have remained strong over the decades despite numerous challenges, and we are proud of the enduring impact we have made on the social, cultural, and spiritual life of our nation,” he said.

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Ohakawa noted that as part of the celebration, BSN will hold a Founder’s Day lecture and awards ceremony on February 6, chaired by former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and featuring Pastor Poju Oyemade as guest speaker. He added that the celebrations will culminate with a thanksgiving service at The Covenant Nations on February 8.

Among BSN’s most notable achievements, Pastor Sanusi highlighted the Nigerian Sign Language Bible, aimed at making the Word of God accessible to the deaf community. “Globally, only the USA has a complete Bible in sign language. Nigeria is the first country in Africa to establish a centre dedicated to Sign Language Bible translation,” he said.

The project, in partnership with DOOR International and the Presbyterian Church Nigeria, began in 2014 and has produced 222 Chronological Bible Stories in Nigerian Sign Language. Translation of the full Bible into the language started.