Mirian Gom 
LAGOS, Nigeria – Despite growing awareness of autism in Nigeria, experts say thousands of children and adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continue to face discrimination in schools, workplaces, homes and public spaces, calling for a national shift from awareness to meaningful inclusion.
The call comes as Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) unveils plans for its 16th Annual Autism Conference and free consultation programme, aimed at promoting practical strategies that improve the lives of people on the autism spectrum.
The conference, themed “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces,” will be held on July 27 and 28 at the Muson Centre in Lagos. It will be followed by four days of free one-on-one consultations with medical and developmental specialists from July 29 to August 1 at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, says the initiative has evolved beyond raising awareness to driving lasting social inclusion.
“Sixteen years ago, we set out to help families navigate a journey that too often felt isolating. Today, this programme stands as proof of what sustained commitment can achieve.”
Agbaje says this year’s theme challenges Nigerians to translate awareness into action.
“Acceptance in Action’ challenges all of us to move beyond good intentions and make inclusion visible in the way we raise our families, teach in our classrooms, build our workplaces and welcome one another in public spaces.”
“No single institution can build an inclusive society alone. It takes families willing to advocate, educators willing to adapt, employers willing to open doors and policymakers willing to act.”
Behavioural specialist and Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst, Dr Eziafakaku Nwokolo, says Nigeria has made significant progress in autism awareness, but acceptance remains the country’s greatest challenge.
“We’ve done a lot of awareness. People now have an idea of what autism is. But acceptance happens in the community. Inclusion is action, not words.”
“You don’t see autism physically, but you see its impact on behaviour. Because people cannot see it, they often assume the child is stubborn or badly behaved, or that the adult is rude or difficult.”
“She came out crying and said, ‘I will go home now and look at my child differently.’ She realised, after more than 30 years, that her son was autistic. That is what acceptance can do—it changes lives.”
Chief Communication Officer of GTCO, Oyinade Ogunade, says acceptance often begins with empathy and compassion.
“Sometimes survival makes us lose our humanity. We may not be able to solve everyone’s problems, but we can choose compassion instead of judgement.”
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius