Sixteen years after autism advocacy gained momentum in Nigeria, experts have expressed concern that many people living with autism remain excluded from schools, workplaces and community life due to weak government policies, inadequate support systems and persistent social stigma.
The concerns were raised on Monday during the opening of the 16th Annual GTCO Autism Conference held at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, where healthcare professionals, educators, caregivers, policymakers and autism advocates called for stronger measures to promote inclusion for individuals with autism and other neurodiverse conditions.
Participants noted that although awareness of autism has improved significantly over the years, meaningful inclusion remains limited, forcing many families to cope with the emotional, social and financial demands of caregiving without sufficient institutional support.
Speaking at the conference, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, Segun Agbaje, said Nigeria has made notable progress in breaking the culture of silence and denial surrounding autism but stressed that the focus must now shift from awareness to practical inclusion.
According to him, the campaign over the past 16 years has helped many families acknowledge autism, but the next phase should focus on helping society understand how to live, work and interact with people on the autism spectrum.
Agbaje described autism support as an ongoing journey that requires the collective efforts of government, schools, employers and communities to create equal opportunities for affected individuals. He also assured participants that GTCO would continue hosting the annual autism conference beyond his tenure.
Autism advocate and behavioural analyst, Solape Azazi, said the country’s greatest challenge is no longer identifying autism but ensuring that children living with the condition are accepted and supported to reach their full potential.
Drawing from her personal experience as the mother of a 12-year-old autistic child, Azazi said many parents continue to face rejection, isolation, caregiver burnout and mental health challenges because of negative societal attitudes.
She stressed that acceptance begins at home, adding that children who experience understanding and support within their families are better equipped to thrive in society.
Azazi also noted that many autistic children can excel academically when schools provide suitable learning environments and tailored support rather than excluding them because of their condition.
Disability rights advocate Afeez Abdul Rasaq urged governments to move beyond policy declarations by implementing disability-friendly programmes that guarantee equal access to education, employment and public services for people living with autism and other disabilities.
He also called on employers to deliberately create opportunities for neurodiverse individuals, saying workplace inclusion should be viewed as a national development priority rather than an act of charity.
Participants further advocated increased investment in early diagnosis, specialised education, caregiver assistance and mental health services. They warned that without stronger government intervention, families would continue to shoulder the burden of autism care with limited institutional support.
The conference continues today with local and international experts expected to discuss practical strategies for inclusive education, caregiver support and improving the quality of life of people living with autism across Nigeria.
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