The Nigerian Senate has taken a historic step toward improving autism care and inclusion by introducing a bill to establish a National Center for Autism and six zonal centers across the country.
The National Center for Autism (Establishment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), passed its first reading on the Senate floor. The legislation aims to create a coordinated national framework for autism diagnosis, research, education, and social integration.
Speaking on the bill, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed the urgent need for structured support for children and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
“Autism is not rare — it is simply rarely understood,” she said. “Too many Nigerian children have been misjudged or mistreated because our systems lack the capacity to help them. This bill seeks to change that narrative.”
Across Nigeria, many children with autism remain undiagnosed or misunderstood, often labeled as “stubborn” or “possessed,” leaving families emotionally and financially strained. The proposed centers aim to bridge this gap through early detection, specialized care, and nationwide awareness.
Under the bill, the national headquarters will be based in Abuja, with six zonal centers to be located in Bauchi, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and another North Central city. These facilities will provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational services, while also training teachers, caregivers, and therapists.
They will further conduct research, maintain a national autism registry, and lead public campaigns to combat stigma and misinformation about autism.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the initiative as both compassionate and economically sound.
“Early intervention saves society more than it spends. With proper support, children with autism can grow into productive and creative citizens. This is an investment in human potential,” she emphasized.
Experts say the plan could generate thousands of new jobs in healthcare, education, and research, while promoting innovation in assistive technology and inclusive education.
The bill aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goals 3 and 4 on health and quality education.
Calling the legislation “a moral and social awakening,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan urged colleagues to expedite its passage.
“Every Nigerian child, regardless of neurological difference, deserves love, opportunity, and dignity,” she declared. “This bill replaces stigma with science, pity with progress, and neglect with national responsibility.”
If passed, the law would position Nigeria as a continental leader in autism care and inclusion, marking a shift from silence to structure — and from sympathy to sustainability.
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