The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish Autism Care Centres in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones beginning in 2027 as part of efforts to improve diagnosis, treatment, research and specialist training for children with autism and other developmental conditions.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative during a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah.
He said the centres would provide comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services, advance research and serve as regional centres of excellence, supporting families, healthcare professionals and educational institutions.
“In 2027, we will open Autism Centres across the six geopolitical zones. These centres will focus on diagnosis, therapy and research to better support the needs of our citizens,” Alausa said.
The minister said the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to address the shortage of skilled professionals in Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
He disclosed that the number of Nigerian universities offering these specialised programmes has increased from about four to nearly sixteen under ongoing education sector reforms, with plans to expand them further.
According to him, the expansion is aimed at meeting the growing demand for services for children living with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions.
“Our Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, is supporting this by expanding the number of institutions offering programmes in Audiology, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. We have moved from about four universities to almost sixteen universities, but we want even more institutions to train the manpower needed to support these essential services,” he said.
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Alausa noted that many Nigerian families still travel abroad and even to neighbouring countries to access specialised care because of limited local capacity, describing the situation as unacceptable.
“Today, many families still have to travel outside Nigeria to access care for their autistic children. This is not acceptable, and the Federal Government is determined to change that,” he added.
To strengthen local capacity, the minister announced that from next year, the Federal Government would provide targeted support to universities running the specialised programmes.
He said the intervention would include expansion of infrastructure, provision of modern equipment and instructional materials to increase the institutions’ capacity to train qualified professionals.
The minister also revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education had directed the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to fast-track the accreditation of the Federal School of Occupational Therapy and the Occupational Therapy diploma programme at the University of Benin.
According to him, the move will create a seamless pathway from diploma to bachelor’s degree while strengthening career opportunities for professionals in the field.
Alausa commended universities that have introduced specialised programmes, describing their contributions as vital to developing the skilled workforce needed to improve outcomes for children with developmental conditions.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with universities, regulatory agencies and professional bodies to expand specialist training, strengthen institutional capacity and promote research and innovation in autism care.
The minister said the reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and are aimed at ensuring that every Nigerian child living with autism, ADHD and other developmental conditions has access to quality diagnosis, therapy, inclusive education and opportunities to realise their full potential.
