The Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to strengthen autism care and build Nigeria’s specialist workforce through expanded professional training, increased investment in tertiary institutions and the establishment of Autism Centres across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative during a stakeholders’ engagement, describing it as a major step towards addressing the shortage of professionals in Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
He disclosed that the number of universities offering the specialised programmes has increased from about four to nearly 16 under the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms, with 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 the minister, the Tinubu administration is investing in the human capital required to improve diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation services while reducing the need for families to seek treatment outside the country.
“Our Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, is supporting this by expanding the number of institutions offering programmes in Audiology, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. We have moved from about four universities to almost sixteen universities, but we want even more institutions to train the manpower needed to support these essential services,” Alausa said.
He lamented that many Nigerian families still travel abroad and to neighbouring countries to access specialised care for children with autism and ADHD due to limited local capacity.
“Today, many families still have to travel outside Nigeria to access care for their autistic children. This is not acceptable, and the Federal Government is determined to change that,” he added.
To accelerate the reforms, Alausa said the Federal Government would, from next year, provide targeted interventions to universities offering the specialised programmes. The support, he said, will include expanded infrastructure, modern equipment and instructional materials to increase training capacity.
The minister also disclosed 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.
He said the move would create a seamless progression from diploma to bachelor’s degree while strengthening professional career pathways.
Alausa commended universities that have introduced the specialised programmes, describing their efforts as vital to building the workforce needed to improve outcomes for children with developmental conditions.
He further announced that the Federal Government would establish Autism Centres in each of the six geopolitical zones beginning in 2027.
According to him, 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.
“In 2027, we will open Autism Centres across the six geopolitical zones. These centres will focus on diagnosis, therapy and research to better support the needs of our citizens,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to working with universities, regulatory agencies and professional bodies to expand specialist training, strengthen institutional capacity and advance research and innovation in autism care.
He said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that every Nigerian child with autism, ADHD and other developmental conditions has access to quality diagnosis, therapy, inclusive education and opportunities to realise their full potential.
