The Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive initiative to transform autism care in Nigeria through expanded specialist training, targeted investments in tertiary institutions and the establishment of Autism Centres across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the reforms during a stakeholders’ engagement, describing them as a major step toward addressing Nigeria’s shortage of professionals in Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the minister disclosed that the number of universities offering the specialised programmes has increased from about four to nearly sixteen under the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms. He added that the administration plans to expand the programmes to more institutions to meet the growing demand for services for children living with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions.
According to Alausa, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is investing in the human capital required to strengthen diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation services while ensuring that Nigerian families can increasingly access quality care within the country.
He lamented that many families still travel abroad and to neighbouring countries in search of specialised care due to limited local capacity, describing the situation as unacceptable.
To accelerate the reforms, Dr. Alausa announced that from next year, the Federal Government will provide targeted support to universities offering Audiology, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy programmes. The intervention will include the expansion of infrastructure, provision of modern equipment and instructional materials to increase the capacity of institutions to train specialists.
The Minister also revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education has 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. The move, he said, will create a seamless progression from diploma to bachelor’s degree while strengthening professional career pathways.
He commended universities that have introduced the specialised programmes, noting that their efforts are critical to building the skilled workforce needed to improve outcomes for children with developmental conditions.
Dr. Alausa further announced that beginning in 2027, the Federal Government will establish Autism Centres in each of the six geopolitical zones. The centres will provide comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services, promote research and serve as regional centres of excellence supporting families, healthcare professionals and educational institutions.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to the initiative, the Minister said the Federal Government would continue working with universities, regulatory agencies and professional bodies to expand specialist training, strengthen institutional capacity and advance research and innovation in autism care.
He added that the reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that every Nigerian child living with autism, ADHD and other developmental conditions has access to quality diagnosis, therapy, inclusive education and opportunities to achieve their full potential.
