The Federal Government has announced plans to establish Autism Centres in each of the six geopolitical zones by 2027 to improve access to diagnosis, therapy and research services for children with autism and other developmental conditions.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while unveiling a series of reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s shortage of specialists in autism care and reducing the number of families seeking diagnosis and treatment abroad.
According to the minister, the initiative will be complemented by efforts to expand the country’s specialist workforce through an increase in the number of universities offering programmes in Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy from about four to nearly sixteen institutions.
Alausa said the Federal Government would begin providing targeted support to universities offering the specialised programmes from next year through improved infrastructure, modern equipment and instructional materials.
He also revealed that the Ministry 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 to strengthen professional training and career development.
The reforms, according to the minister, are part of broader efforts to improve care and support for children living with Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions across Nigeria.
