Senate Moves to Establish National Autism Centres Across Nigeria

The Nigerian Senate has taken steps to establish a National Center for Autism and six zonal centers across the country to provide diagnosis, care, and education for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

The initiative followed the first reading of the National Center for Autism (Establishment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central). The bill seeks to create Nigeria’s first coordinated federal system for autism diagnosis, research, and social inclusion.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that the bill aims to correct widespread misunderstanding about autism. “Autism is not rare, it is simply rarely understood. Too many children are misjudged because our systems lack awareness and support,” she said.

Under the proposal, the National Center will be based in Abuja, with zonal centers in Bauchi, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan. These centers will offer diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational services, train professionals, maintain a national autism registry, and lead campaigns against stigma.

Describing the bill as both compassionate and economically beneficial, Akpoti-Uduaghan said early intervention helps children with autism become productive citizens. “This is an investment in human potential,” she noted.

Experts project that the initiative will create thousands of jobs in health, education, and research, while aligning with Nigeria’s commitments to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The senator urged her colleagues to pass the bill swiftly, saying, “This is an act of justice and inclusion. Every Nigerian child deserves love, opportunity, and dignity.”

If enacted, the Autism Bill will make Nigeria a continental leader in autism awareness, care, and inclusion.