FG Moves to Expand Autism Care, Specialist Training Across Nigeria
The Federal Government has unveiled a series of reforms aimed at strengthening specialised education, diagnosis and treatment services for children living with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions across Nigeria.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed the plans, noting that the shortage of trained specialists in autism and developmental care has contributed to the growing number of Nigerian families seeking diagnosis and therapy outside the country.
Under the reforms, the Federal Government plans to significantly expand the number of universities offering specialised programmes in Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
According to the Minister, the number of universities offering these programmes is expected to increase from about four institutions to nearly 16, with plans to extend the programmes to additional institutions.
Beginning in 2027, the Federal Government will provide targeted support to universities offering the specialised programmes through improved infrastructure, modern equipment and relevant instructional materials.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the country’s specialist workforce and improve access to quality services for children and families requiring developmental and rehabilitative care.
The Ministry has also directed the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to accelerate the accreditation process for the Federal School of Occupational Therapy and the Occupational Therapy diploma programme at the University of Benin.
The move is designed to strengthen professional training, expand opportunities for students and improve career progression within the occupational therapy profession.
Six Autism Centres Planned
In another major step, Dr. Alausa announced that the Federal Government will establish Autism Centres in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones from 2027.
The centres are expected to provide specialised services including early diagnosis, therapy, research and related support services, bringing critical care closer to families across the country.
The reforms represent a broader effort by the Federal Government to develop Nigeria’s human capacity in specialised healthcare and education while reducing the need for families to travel abroad in search of developmental assessment and therapeutic services.
Dr. Alausa stressed the importance of building a sustainable specialist workforce and strengthening institutions capable of providing quality, accessible and professional support for children with developmental conditions.
The planned expansion of training programmes, investment in university facilities and establishment of regional autism centres are expected to contribute to a more coordinated national response to autism, ADHD and other developmental needs.
FG Moves to Expand Autism Care, Specialist Training Across Nigeria