Stakeholders in Nigeria’s autism space have called for stronger government and community-backed support systems to ease the burden on families raising children on the autism spectrum.

They made the call during the 2026 “Shine Your Light on Autism Spectrum Conference” organised by Ike Foundation for Autism in Abuja.

The event, organised by the foundation, was aimed at promoting awareness, inclusivity, and support for persons with autism across Africa, coinciding with World Autism Awareness Day.

Speaking, Director of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. John Ovuoraye, said Nigeria must move beyond awareness to decisive action that guarantees access to healthcare, education, and supportive policies for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Ovuoraye, who was represented by Dr. Silvanus Welle at the event, organised by Ike Foundation for Autism, said:”Autism is not a limitation of potential,it is a different way of experiencing the world. Inclusion is not an option; it is a necessity.”

He revealed that the Federal Government is finalising a national strategy to address the health needs of children with special needs, including autism, signalling a shift toward structured and coordinated intervention.

He stressed that health systems must be strengthened to enable early diagnosis, timely intervention, and continuous support, particularly at the primary healthcare level.

According to him, Nigeria must also expand therapy services and train healthcare providers to respond with both expertise and empathy.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ike Foundation for Autism (IFA), Ikemba Iweala, Iweala stressed that caring for children with special needs is a collective responsibility.

He noted that many parents face enormous financial and emotional challenges in providing adequate care.

“I speak for ordinary people. When ordinary people come together, they can support themselves. Parents are going through a lot. Attending to their children’s needs is not cheap.

“When a problem concerns you directly, it becomes a big problem. But when it concerns someone else, many treat it as small, not theirs to solve”, he said.

He urged government institutions and stakeholders to ensure that individuals with autism receive the same level of care and support as others in society.

Founder of IFA, Okidegbe Nwanze represented by Team Lead Arinze Jebose, said the conference aligns with the global observance of World Autism Awareness Day under the theme: “Shine Your Light on Autism: Building Inclusive Systems.”

Nwanze highlighted that autism awareness in Nigeria is still evolving, with many children misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or excluded from support systems.

He stressed the importance of changing the narrative and ensuring that families no longer bear the burden of stigma in silence.

“Nigeria’s autism story is still being written, and it is conferences like this that hold the pen. Today, we say clearly: our children are not burdens, they are blessings. Our responsibility is to build a society where every autistic child can thrive with dignity, inclusion, and joy,” he said.

Parents also shared their experiences during the event.

Etu Idoko, a father of a child on the spectrum, highlighted the importance of early intervention despite the financial strain.

“With the intervention, we’ve seen a lot of improvement. It’s exhausting financially, but I believe it’s worth it. Early intervention is very necessary,” he said, noting that his family has benefited from the foundation’s support over the past year”, he said.