The Nigerian Senate has commenced legislative action to establish a National Centre for Autism alongside six zonal centres across the country, aimed at advancing diagnosis, education, care, and social inclusion for persons living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
The initiative followed the first reading of the National Centre for Autism (Establishment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).
If passed, the bill would be the nation’s first comprehensive federal framework dedicated to autism research, intervention, and public awareness.
Explaining the motivation behind the proposal, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said the bill seeks to address decades of neglect and misunderstanding surrounding autism in Nigeria.
Across the country, thousands of families face the daily struggles of caring for children on the autism spectrum, often without access to proper diagnosis, trained professionals, or community support.
Many children are still wrongly labelled as "stubborn" or "possessed," leaving parents emotionally and financially strained.
Under the proposed law, the National Centre for Autism will be headquartered in Abuja and supported by six zonal hubs to be located in Bauchi, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Abuja (or another North Central city).
The centres will provide early detection and intervention services, conduct nationwide awareness campaigns, train teachers and therapists, maintain a national autism registry, and promote inclusion in schools and workplaces.
The Abuja headquarters will oversee policy coordination, research, and quality assurance across all zones.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan cited the economic and social benefits of early intervention, stating:
"Early intervention saves society more than it spends. When children with autism are given the right tools early, they become productive, creative citizens instead of being left behind. This is an investment in human potential," she said.
Experts say the proposed initiative could create thousands of new jobs in healthcare, education, and social services, while also encouraging innovation in assistive and learning technologies.
The Autism Bill aligns with Nigeria’s commitments to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 3 and 4, which promote good health and quality education.
It also reinforces the National Policy on Inclusive Education, reaffirming the country’s pledge to "leave no one behind."
Describing the bill as "a moral and social awakening," Akpoti-Uduaghan said its passage would be a turning point for Nigeria’s most misunderstood children.
"This bill is an act of justice for families who have been abandoned by the system. It is a statement that every Nigerian child, regardless of neurological difference, deserves love, opportunity, and dignity," she said.
She urged her colleagues to give the bill speedy consideration, noting that its passage would help Nigeria "replace stigma with science, pity with progress, and neglect with national responsibility," she said.
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