Frank Okon

Stakeholders at a policy dialogue convened by The Alternative Bank have called for a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to autism care, urging a move away from an exclusive focus on traditional academic learning toward vocational training, talent development, and more structured financing for support services.

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The call was made at the bank’s maiden Autism Stakeholders Roundtable and Policy Dialogue held in partnership with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) and the Sterling One Foundation on Friday, April 24, 2026. The meeting brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators, and civil society actors to reframe national discussions on autism from awareness campaigns to practical pathways for functional independence and employability.

A central theme of the discussions was the need to rethink Nigeria’s education system, which participants described as overly focused on rote learning and examinations. Speaking in her keynote address, Mrs Dotun Akande, Founder and Director of the Patrick Speech and Languages Centre, said the current model fails many children, including those on the autism spectrum and neurotypical learners, by not catering to individual strengths and learning styles.

She argued that outcomes such as independence and employability depend on identifying and developing each child’s unique abilities early. According to her, autistic children often demonstrate strengths in areas such as pattern recognition, attention to detail, and creativity, which could be channelled into fields like information technology, data analysis, agriculture, and the creative arts. She also called for structured inclusion of vocational and talent development components in care plans from primary school level.

Participants at the dialogue also emphasised the need for sustainable financing mechanisms to support autism care in Nigeria. They noted that current reliance on out-of-pocket spending and irregular philanthropic support is insufficient to meet growing needs. Instead, they advocated for a blended financing model involving government funding, development finance institutions, and private sector participation.

A key recommendation was the inclusion of autism screening and therapy services under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) framework, which stakeholders said would significantly improve access and affordability for families.

Dr Ime Okon, President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (Lagos State branch), reinforced the importance of aligning medical expertise with adequate financial systems. She said meaningful progress would require not only clinical protocols and awareness but also inclusive policies backed by sustainable funding.

She stressed that lasting impact depends on ensuring that healthcare interventions are supported by strong legislative frameworks and consistent investment.

Representing the host institution, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Executive Director for Commercial and Institutional Banking (Lagos and Southwest) at The Alternative Bank, said systemic reform must begin within the education system. She reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting inclusive education and developing policy-driven interventions aimed at removing barriers to access.

She outlined a three-pillar strategy focused on inclusive education, practical skills development, and improved policy frameworks. As part of its immediate interventions, she announced a partnership with Eliakim Global Resources to launch a capacity-building programme on receptive language disorder, describing it as a critical but often overlooked aspect of early childhood development.

Demola-Adeniyi said the programme would run in structured sessions and focus on equipping parents and educators with practical tools for early identification and intervention.

The dialogue, themed “It’s How You Show Up,” also featured contributions from a range of stakeholders, including representatives from autism-focused organisations, healthcare institutions, development foundations, and government bodies. Among them were the Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiatives, University College Hospital Ibadan, Eliakim Global Resources, Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, and the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health Services and Primary Health Care.

Across the discussions, participants agreed that Nigeria’s autism response must move beyond awareness creation to practical systems that prioritise early screening, skills development, and long-term economic inclusion for affected children.