Alausa Unveils Reforms to Boost Autism Care, Specialist Training

The Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to strengthen autism care in Nigeria through expanded specialist training, targeted investments in tertiary institutions and the establishment of Autism Centres across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the reforms during a stakeholders’ engagement, saying the initiative is aimed at addressing the shortage of professionals in Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.

He disclosed that the number of universities offering the specialised programmes has risen from about four to nearly 16 under the ongoing reforms of the Tinubu administration.

According to the minister, the government plans to expand the programmes to more institutions to meet the growing demand for services for children living with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions.

“Our Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, is supporting this by expanding the number of institutions offering programmes in Audiology, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. We have moved from about four universities to almost sixteen universities, but we want even more institutions to train the manpower needed to support these essential services,” Alausa said.

He noted that inadequate local capacity has continued to force many Nigerian families to seek specialised treatment for children with autism and ADHD abroad and even in neighbouring countries.

Describing the situation as unacceptable, the minister said the Federal Government was determined to reverse the trend by investing in the human resources and infrastructure needed to improve diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation services within Nigeria.

“Today, many families still have to travel outside Nigeria to access care for their autistic children. This is not acceptable, and the Federal Government is determined to change that,” he said.

As part of the reforms, Alausa announced that from next year, universities running the specialised programmes would benefit from targeted government interventions to expand infrastructure and improve teaching facilities.

He said the support would include the provision of modern equipment and instructional materials to increase the capacity of institutions to train professionals in Audiology, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

The minister also revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education had directed the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to fast-track the accreditation of the Federal School of Occupational Therapy and the Occupational Therapy diploma programme at the University of Benin.

According to him, the move is expected to create a seamless academic pathway from diploma to bachelor’s degree while strengthening career prospects for professionals in the field.

Alausa commended universities that have introduced the specialised programmes, describing their contributions as vital to building the workforce required to improve outcomes for children with developmental conditions.

Looking ahead, he announced that the Federal Government would establish Autism Centres in each of the country’s six geopolitical zones beginning in 2027.

The centres, he said, would provide comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services, promote research and serve as regional centres of excellence supporting families, healthcare professionals and educational institutions.

“In 2027, we will open Autism Centres across the six geopolitical zones. These centres will focus on diagnosis, therapy and research to better support the needs of our citizens,” Alausa said.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with universities, regulatory agencies and professional bodies to expand specialist training, strengthen institutional capacity and advance research and innovation in autism care.

The minister said the reforms align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and are intended to ensure that children living with autism, ADHD and other developmental conditions have access to quality diagnosis, therapy, inclusive education and opportunities to realise their full potential.