Stakeholders at The Alternative Bank’s Maiden Autism Stakeholders Roundtable and Policy Dialogue have advocated for a critical shift away from traditional, core academics toward vocational training, talent development, and structured financing models, in a move to redefine the future of children living with autism in Nigeria.

The high-level convening, held in partnership with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) and Sterling One Foundation brought together policymakers, educators, and healthcare leaders to transition the national autism conversation from mere awareness to functional independence and employability.

Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Dotun Akande, Founder and Director of the Patrick Speech and Languages Centre (PSLC), highlighted the flaws in Nigeria’s current education model, which overemphasises rote learning and examinations.

She warned that this one-size-fits-all approach leaves both autistic and neurotypical children disengaged and unprepared for the labor market.

“Functional independence, employability, and fulfillment come from identifying and nurturing each child’s unique strengths,” Akande noted.

She urged stakeholders to channel the unique skills of autistic children, such as pattern recognition, attention to detail, and creativity, into vocations like information technology, data analysis, arts, and agriculture.

Experts at the event called for the immediate inclusion of autism screening and therapy within the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), alongside a blended financing model uniting government funding, development finance, and private-sector innovation.

President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Lagos State Branch, Dr. Ime Okon, insists that “Medical expertise must be met with the fiscal infrastructure to create lasting change,” Dr. Okon stated. “We align with the call for sustainable financing and investment in scalable interventions. How you show up means ensuring that medical protocols are backed by inclusive legislation and the funding to sustain it.”