Health
FG to establish six regional autism centres, expand specialist training
The Federal Government has unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at transforming autism care in Nigeria, announcing plans to establish Autism Centres across the country’s six geopolitical zones from 2027 while significantly expanding the training of specialists in audiology, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during an engagement with stakeholders on Wednesday, saying the initiative forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to improve access to quality diagnosis, therapy and inclusive education for children living with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other developmental conditions.
Alausa said the Federal Government had already increased the number of universities offering specialist programmes in audiology, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy from about four to nearly 16, with plans to expand the programmes to more institutions.
According to him, the reforms are designed to tackle Nigeria’s shortage of skilled professionals and reduce the growing number of families forced to seek specialised autism care outside the country.
“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,” the minister said.
He lamented that many Nigerian families still travel abroad and even to neighbouring countries in search of treatment for children with autism and ADHD because of inadequate local capacity.
“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,” Alausa added.
To strengthen specialist training, the minister announced that from next year, universities running the programmes would receive targeted Federal Government interventions, including modern equipment, improved infrastructure, and teaching materials to boost their training capacity.
He also revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education had directed the National Board for Technical Education 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 will create a seamless pathway from diploma to bachelor’s degree while strengthening professional career development in the sector.
Alausa commended universities that had embraced the government’s policy by introducing specialised programmes, describing them as critical partners in building the workforce needed to improve outcomes for children with developmental disorders.
The minister further announced that the Federal Government would establish Autism Centres in each of the six geopolitical zones beginning in 2027.
He said the centres would provide comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services, support research, and serve as regional centres of excellence for 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,” he said.
Alausa reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with universities, regulatory agencies, and professional bodies to strengthen specialist training, improve institutional capacity, and promote research and innovation in autism care.
The latest reforms come as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to strengthen specialised education and healthcare services for children with developmental disabilities.
In recent months, the Ministry of Education has embarked on a series of reforms aimed at addressing critical manpower shortages in the education and health sectors. These include expanding medical and allied health training, inaugurating a Technical Working Group for the proposed Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences, and introducing policies to improve access to specialised education programmes.
Experts have repeatedly highlighted Nigeria’s acute shortage of speech therapists, audiologists, and occupational therapists, with many families travelling overseas for diagnosis and treatment due to limited specialist services at home. Stakeholders have also called for stronger collaboration between the education and health sectors to improve early diagnosis, intervention, and inclusive education for children with autism, ADHD and other developmental conditions.
The planned establishment of six regional Autism Centres is expected to boost access to specialist services, support research, and reduce the burden on families seeking quality care outside the country, while helping to build a sustainable workforce to meet Nigeria’s growing demand for developmental and rehabilitation services.
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