Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to persons living with autism, their families, and caregivers, with key policy directions to strengthen inclusive care systems.
Commemorating the World Autism Awareness Day 2026, the Minister said this year’s theme, Autism and Humanity: “Every Life Has Value,” underscores the urgent need to move from awareness to actionable inclusion that must be translated into tangible policies and practices that recognise every life.
“As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day 2026, I stand in solidarity with individuals living with autism, their families, caregivers, and advocates across our Nation and across the world,” she said.
Describing Autism Spectrum Disorder as a growing public health and social concern, the Minister noted that while global prevalence is about one in every 100 children, Nigeria faces significant data gaps.
“Yet, a significant number of cases remain undiagnosed or are diagnosed late due to limited awareness, stigma, and gaps in access to specialized services,” she stated.
Socio-economic
She highlighted the socio-economic dimension of care, noting that “over 70% of caregiving for children and persons with developmental conditions is provided by women and girls, often unpaid and unrecognised”, linking autism care to gender equality and economic participation.
Outlining government priorities under the 2026 Presidential Declaration of the Year of Families and Social Development, she emphasised the Ministry’s implementation of the 9-pillar Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774).
The focus includes:
- Development of community-based care and support services, including support for families and caregivers
- Advocacy for increased public investment in the care economy
- Initiatives in nutrition and child welfare, including the development of National Nutrition guidelines and the establishment of a dedicated Department of Nutrition
According to the Minister, “investing in the care economy is not only a social obligation, but also an economic imperative.”
She called on stakeholders to scale up collaboration, stressing that “reducing stigma, expanding access, and investing in care infrastructure must become national priorities.”
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to building an inclusive society where “every life is valued, where care is recognised and supported, and where inclusion is not aspirational but institutionalised.”