NIGERIA’S plan to establish international-standard autism centres across its six geopolitical zones, promises to expand access to specialised healthcare. It also aims to strengthen research and improve support for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.
The initiative also offers an opportunity to build local expertise, promote early diagnosis and create a more coordinated system of autism care within the country’s tertiary healthcare and education institutions.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has inaugurated a national committee to develop a framework for establishing the centres in selected university medical schools, with the proposed intervention being considered for its 2027 special intervention programme.
The initiative is coming when greater attention is being given globally to autism awareness, early intervention, inclusive education and the need to provide appropriate support for individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Experts have said that by bringing specialised services, research and professional training together, the proposed centres could help strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to the diverse needs of people with autism.

Although Nigeria has no comprehensive national data on autism prevalence, available estimates indicate the potential scale of the need. A 2025 analysis by Dataphyte, drawing on 2021 data, estimated that about 930 Nigerians per 100,000 people were living with autism, equivalent to approximately 0.93 per cent of the population. A 2024 research review also cited an estimate of about 600,000 Nigerian children living with the condition. While these figures are estimates rather than definitive national counts, they highlight the importance of expanding specialised services and generating more reliable evidence to guide planning and policy.

Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately one in 127 people had autism in 2021. The organisation recognises that autism is a diverse condition associated with differences in communication, social interaction and behaviour, with individuals having varying strengths, abilities and support needs.

Research conducted at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and published in 2024 also contributes to the growing body of Nigerian evidence on autism. The study examined 1,806 children with neurological disorders and identified autism symptoms in 28 patients, representing 1.6 per cent of the study population. The average age at diagnosis among the children identified was between three and eight years. Such studies demonstrate the value of strengthening local research to improve understanding of autism and inform clinical practice.
Speaking at the committee’s inauguration in Abuja, TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, said the proposed centres would provide early diagnosis, developmental assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, research and professional training, while promoting public awareness and supporting families and caregivers.

He explained that the initiative will build on the gains of TETFund’s Special High Impact Intervention for medical schools, which is upgrading infrastructure and equipment for training professionals in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry and related disciplines.
According to Echono, establishing the centres across the six geopolitical zones would expand access to specialised autism services, strengthen local expertise and reduce the burden on families travelling long distances to obtain appropriate care.

The initiative is also expected to enhance the role of university medical schools in providing specialised healthcare while creating opportunities for collaboration among clinicians, researchers, educators and other professionals working in neurodevelopmental health.
Echono urged committee members to develop practical, evidence-based and sustainable recommendations supported by comprehensive needs assessments, realistic cost estimates, appropriate technical specifications, measurable deliverables and clear sustainability plans.
He also emphasised the importance of transparent criteria for selecting host institutions, including geographical spread, existing medical and academic facilities, human resource capacity, institutional commitment and the ability to sustain the centres over time.

The proposed intervention is being considered under TETFund’s 2027 special intervention programme, subject to the committee’s findings, identification of eligible institutions, resource availability and the necessary approvals. The committee is expected to expedite its work, particularly the identification of suitable universities and assessment of their requirements, to support planning for the proposed intervention.
Chairperson of the committee and Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Prof. Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, described the assignment as a significant step towards building a coordinated, accessible and sustainable system of autism care, research and community support in Nigeria.

Adejuyigbe, a paediatrician with decades of experience in child health, highlighted the importance of helping families recognise developmental differences early and connecting them with appropriate professional support.
She said the committee’s work would be guided by five key pillars: clinical services and early intervention; research and innovation; training and capacity building; community engagement and inclusion; and sustainability and quality assurance.
The emphasis on research is particularly important to Nigeria’s long-term response to autism. Through coordinated studies, the proposed centres could help generate information on prevalence, developmental outcomes, patterns of diagnosis and the experiences of individuals and families across different communities.

Such evidence would provide a stronger foundation for healthcare planning, improve clinical practice and contribute to the international body of knowledge on autism, particularly in Nigeria and other African countries.
Adejuyigbe also underscored the need to develop a competent multidisciplinary workforce comprising paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, special educators and other relevant professionals.
The proposed centres could provide platforms for specialised training, continuing professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration, equipping healthcare workers and educators with the knowledge and skills required to support individuals with autism at different stages of life.

Early identification and intervention would also be central to their work. Access to appropriate developmental assessments and individualised support can help children develop communication, social and daily living skills, while enabling families to make informed decisions about their care and education.
Beyond clinical services, the centres are expected to promote community engagement and inclusion through collaboration with primary healthcare facilities, schools, teachers, community health workers, religious and traditional leaders, parents’ associations, autistic individuals and their families.

Such partnerships could strengthen public awareness, encourage early identification, improve referral pathways and help create more supportive environments for individuals on the autism spectrum.
The initiative also presents an opportunity to connect healthcare with education, vocational development and community participation. With appropriate partnerships, the centres could contribute to improving access to inclusive learning, specialised educational support and opportunities that enable autistic individuals to develop their abilities and participate meaningfully in society.
Sustainability will be an important part of the framework. Adejuyigbe stressed the need to incorporate governance, financing, equipment maintenance, monitoring and evaluation into the committee’s recommendations from the outset, helping to ensure that the proposed facilities remain effective over time.

“Our success must not be measured merely by the number of centres established, but by the number of individuals and families whose lives are positively transformed, the communities reached, and the knowledge generated to improve autism care in Nigeria and across Africa,” she said.
The committee is expected to recommend suitable host universities and medical schools, establish minimum standards for the design and operation of the centres, develop implementation schedules and cost estimates, and propose a monitoring and evaluation framework to guide the relevant authorities.

If successfully implemented, the initiative could represent a significant step towards expanding specialised autism services, strengthening Nigeria’s research capacity and developing a new generation of professionals equipped to support individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions.

For families, the proposed centres offer the prospect of more accessible assessments, better-informed care and stronger professional guidance. For universities, they present opportunities to advance medical education, research and innovation. For the country, they could provide a foundation for more coordinated policies and services that recognise the abilities, dignity and potential of individuals on the autism spectrum.
In the final analysis, the success of TETFund’s initiative will be reflected in the quality of care provided, knowledge generated, professionals trained and the families supported. By combining clinical services, research, education and community engagement, the proposed centres could help build a more inclusive future for autistic individuals in Nigeria and across Africa.