Stakeholders at The Alternative Bank’s Maiden Autism Stakeholders Roundtable and Policy Dialogue have called for a fundamental shift from traditional academic approaches to vocational training, talent development, and structured financing for children with autism in Nigeria.
Redefining Autism Care
The high-level event, held in partnership with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) and Sterling One Foundation, brought together policymakers, educators, and healthcare leaders. The goal was to move the national conversation on autism from awareness to functional independence and employability.
Flaws in Current Education Model
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Dotun Akande, Founder and Director of the Patrick Speech and Languages Centre (PSLC), criticized Nigeria’s education system for overemphasizing rote learning and examinations. She warned that this one-size-fits-all approach leaves both autistic and neurotypical children disengaged and unprepared for the labor market.
“Functional independence, employability, and fulfillment come from identifying and nurturing each child’s unique strengths,” Akande said. She urged stakeholders to channel autistic children’s skills—such as pattern recognition, attention to detail, and creativity—into vocations like information technology, data analysis, arts, and agriculture.
Call for Financing and Inclusion
Experts at the event called for the immediate inclusion of autism screening and therapy within the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). They also advocated a blended financing model combining government funding, development finance, and private-sector innovation.
Dr. Ime Okon, President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Lagos State Branch, stressed that “Medical expertise must be met with the fiscal infrastructure to create lasting change. We align with the call for sustainable financing and investment in scalable interventions. How you show up means ensuring that medical protocols are backed by inclusive legislation and the funding to sustain it.”
