(Maruf Tunji Alausa. Photo Credit: Vanguard News)
“The Federal Government has announced plans to establish autistic centers in all six geopolitical zones as part of efforts to enhance care for children with developmental abnormalities and lessen dependency on medical treatment abroad.
Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, announced this during a stakeholder engagement, stating that the project would be supplemented by an expansion of specialty training programs in Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
According to him, the goal is to develop a professional workforce to improve diagnosis, therapy, rehabilitation, and inclusive education for children with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other diseases.
According to Alausa, the number of Nigerian colleges offering specialty studies in the fields has expanded from four to approximately 16 as a result of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms.
He added that the administration was committed to encouraging more institutions to implement the programmes in order to address the professional shortage and improve access to quality care across the country.
“Our Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, is promoting this by increasing the number of institutions that offer programs in Audiology, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
We’ve grown from four to nearly 16 universities, but we need more to train the people who will support these critical services,” he said.
Due to limited local capacity, the minister voiced worry that many Nigerian families continue to go overseas, even to adjacent countries, to receive specialised services for children with autism and ADHD.
“Today, many families must fly outside Nigeria to receive care for their autistic children. “This is unacceptable, and the federal government is determined to change it,” he stated.
To strengthen the programme, Alausa announced that universities offering the specialised courses would receive targeted interventions beginning next year, such as improved infrastructure, modern equipment, and instructional materials.
He also asked the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to expedite the certification of the Federal School of Occupational Therapy and the Occupational Therapy diploma program at the University of Benin.
The minister stated that the measure would facilitate the transition from diploma to degree programs while also improving professional growth in the field.
He praised universities that had embraced the specialised courses, describing their efforts as critical to developing the manpower needed to improve care for children with developmental disabilities.
Alausa also declared that the Federal Government would create autism centres in each of the six geopolitical zones beginning in 2027.
He stated that the centers would offer diagnostic and therapeutic services, support research, and serve as regional hubs for families, professionals, and educational institutions.
“In 2027, we will open Autism Centers in all six geopolitical zones. These institutes will concentrate on diagnosis, therapy, and research to better meet the needs of our population,” he stated.
The minister underlined the Ministry’s commitment to working with universities, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations to increase specialist training, develop institutional capacity, and promote research and innovation in autism care.
He said the program is consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to ensure that children with autism, ADHD, and other developmental problems have access to excellent diagnosis, therapy, inclusive education, and chances to reach their full potential.