ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — The Nigerian Senate on Thursday began deliberations on a landmark bill that seeks to establish a National Centre for Autism and six zonal centres across the country, aimed at improving diagnosis, care, education, and inclusion for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Sponsored by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), the bill proposes a federal framework to address the growing need for early detection and support for children and adults living with autism. The proposed centres would be located in Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
“Autism is not rare — it is simply rarely understood,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said during the debate. “Too many Nigerian children have been misjudged, misunderstood, or mistreated because our systems lack the knowledge and structures to help them. This bill is about changing that narrative.
The legislation was widely praised by lawmakers across party lines, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio referring it to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for further review. He urged the committee to engage stakeholders and ensure the framework reflects Nigeria’s realities.
Parents of children with autism welcomed the bill as a long-overdue intervention. “For years, we’ve felt invisible,” said Ifeoma Okeke, whose 9-year-old son was diagnosed with ASD at age four. “We’ve spent everything we have on private therapy and travel abroad. This bill gives us hope that help will finally be accessible at home.”
Advocacy groups also applauded the Senate’s action. “This is a game-changer for thousands of families,” said Dr. Amina Yusuf, director of the Autism Advocacy Network of Nigeria. “We’ve seen children labeled as possessed or mentally ill simply because teachers and doctors lack training. These centres will save lives and restore dignity.”
Under the proposal, the National Centre in Abuja would coordinate research, training, and policy development, while the zonal centres would offer diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational services. They would also serve as referral hubs and lead community-based awareness campaigns.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized the emotional and financial toll on families navigating autism without institutional support. “Parents are left to fend for themselves, often relying on poorly equipped private facilities or seeking help abroad — an option only available to the privileged few,” she said.
In her closing remarks, she described the bill as “an act of social justice, empathy, and national foresight,” adding, “It is a call to give children with autism a chance to thrive, learn, and contribute to our great nation.”
If passed, the legislation would be Nigeria’s first comprehensive federal law dedicated to autism diagnosis, care, and inclusion.
