The Alternative Bank (AltBank), in collaboration with Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), Eliakim Foundation, and Sterling One Foundation, has taken a major step toward improving autism care in Nigeria with the hosting of its maiden Autism Stakeholders Roundtable and Policy Dialogue.
The event, themed “It is How You Show Up,” brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, educators, caregivers, and development partners to confront the fragmented state of autism care and chart a path toward a more inclusive system.
In her opening remarks, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Executive Director for Commercial and Institutional Banking (Lagos and Southwest) at AltBank, stressed that the gathering was designed as a working session rather than a ceremonial event. She noted that delays in diagnosis, intervention, and inclusion continue to limit opportunities for children with autism and place a heavy burden on families.
Demola-Adeniyi also announced the launch of a structured training programme targeting 40 participants, focusing on Receptive Language Disorder. Delivered in partnership with Eliakim Global Resources, the sessions ran between April 26 and May 1, 2026. The initiative forms part of a broader three-pronged strategy centered on inclusive education, specialised training for professionals and caregivers, and advocacy for behavioural change.
Delivering the keynote address, Dotun Akande, Founder and Director of Patrick Speech and Languages Centre, called for a shift from isolated private interventions to a coordinated national system. She proposed the development of a National Autism Framework embedded within public institutions, alongside routine developmental screening at nine, eighteen, and twenty-four months, and the establishment of a National Autism Registry.
Akande emphasised that autism care in Nigeria must become accessible and equitable, regardless of location or socioeconomic status. She further advocated for vocational and talent development programmes to complement academic learning, ensuring long-term independence and employability for individuals on the spectrum.
Also speaking at the event, Ime Okon, President of the Lagos State branch of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, highlighted the need to make early diagnosis a standard component of healthcare rather than a privilege. She commended AltBank’s leadership and urged stakeholders to translate discussions into concrete outcomes.
The roundtable featured extensive panel discussions addressing key challenges such as access to diagnosis, funding gaps, and the need for scalable delivery models. Contributions from representatives of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, and global partners including Best Buddies International will be compiled into a policy brief.
This document will be presented to relevant government agencies to support the development of structured caregiver support systems, inclusive education policies, and specialised healthcare infrastructure.
Notable participants included Emma Zagar; Solape Azazi; Joy Ngozi Alejo; Nneamaka Faith Mokwe-Ijiko; Habeeb Lawal; Omotoke Olugbode; Ugochukwu Nwosu; and Lawal Aina Musibau, among others.
The dialogue marks a significant milestone in efforts to build a coordinated and sustainable autism care system in Nigeria, demonstrating how collaboration between the public and private sectors can drive meaningful and lasting reform.