L-R: Solape Azazi, International Behaviour Analyst; Oyinade Adegite, Chief Communications Officer, GTCO Plc; and Osezusi Bolodeoku, International Behaviour Analyst, during the press briefing for the 16th Annual GTCO Autism Conference, held in Lagos on Wednesday.
After nearly two decades of driving regional public health advocacy, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) is urging Nigerian society to move past baseline autism awareness toward structured, everyday inclusion.
At the press conference of its 16th Annual Autism Conference in Lagos, medical experts, behavioural therapists, and corporate leaders argued that while public recognition of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has grown significantly, many individuals on the spectrum continue to face severe discrimination, social isolation, and systemic barriers across homes, schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
The development comes against the backdrop of critical public health challenges across Africa. Global data indicates that Autism Spectrum Disorder affects approximately 1 in 100 children worldwide.
However, in Nigeria, where over 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25, the true prevalence remains obscured by widespread under-diagnosis, limited specialized healthcare infrastructure, and deeply rooted socio-cultural myths.
