This week contributed to building autism awareness in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through its Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office, organised a five-day training on "Understanding Autism: Early Signs and Support Tips" for 774 healthcare professionals across all local governments of the country. Working with ABA World and the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, the Ministry showed commitment to building foundational knowledge at a perfect moment.
This training represents a crucial step, and participants and facilitators agreed that it is the beginning of a long journey toward specialisation and expertise in autism care.
The Ministry's decision to launch this introductory training shows understanding that policy without prepared practitioners remains only words on paper. The Ministry has taken action to begin preparing a healthcare workforce for autism care.
A result that tells a story
The results reveal both the quality of this first step and the enormous hunger for deeper learning: 97% of participants achieved perfect scores on post-training assessments. Even more telling, healthcare professionals from across Nigeria are requesting additional training opportunities, with several expressing interest in pursuing specialisation in autism care. This demand for continued education highlights the shift toward change and autism awareness in the community, and the new generations' desire to contribute to a better, inclusive society.
The panel of facilitators
The training brought together panellists whose experience includes international best practices and regional realities. Faby Diallo (Guinea/USA), Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Clinical Director of Learn Me ABA Clinics, facilitated all five days of training. Dividing her time between Guinea and the United States, Faby serves as Africa Regional Leader for Spark a Spectrum of Possibilities, connecting evidence-based behavioral science with culturally relevant implementation across the continent.
Throughout the week, participants heard from Dr. Muftau Mohammed (Abuja, Nigeria), a Consultant Psychiatrist and Scholar whose research on ADHD and teacher training in Nigeria speaks directly to local challenges. Dr. Nelofar Kiran Rauf (Islamabad, Pakistan) from the National Institute of Psychology at Quaid-i-Azam University shared insights on systems, research findings, family stress, and coping. Dr. Hildah Nkonde (Ndola, Zambia), a Dental Surgeon and founder of Save a Smile Initiative, talked about health equity for marginalised communities. Dr. Nkonde's leadership has been recognized through fellowships with MCW Global and the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders, with training experiences spanning Tanzania and multiple cities in the United States.
Dotun Akande (Lagos, Nigeria), founder of Nigeria's first autism center established in 2006, shared nearly two decades of local experience, having successfully integrated over 100 children with autism into mainstream schools. Her regular engagement with educational institutions in the UK and the USA enriches her locally grounded practice with international perspectives. Maryam Maifada (Kaduna, Nigeria), a special education and speech therapist with over 10 years of experience working across Nigeria, Egypt, and international partnerships, provided concrete intervention strategies. Bahijah D. Sheibanee (Ghana/USA), a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with Ghanaian and American roots and extensive clinical leadership experience, shared insights from managing comprehensive ABA programs across diverse cultural contexts.
Chris Jaison (Houston, USA), an autism advocate at the University of Houston and Special Olympics assistant coach with Indian heritage, connected scientific inquiry with community engagement, bringing a multicultural lens to his work. Abdurrahaman Mangari (Kano, Nigeria), a WHO Fellow and public health leader who provided strategic leadership across five African countries during COVID-19, helped participants understand autism care within broader health systems contexts, especially for northern Nigeria.
The team behind the logistics
A virtual training across a country as large as Nigeria requires careful coordination and technical precision. Abdulkadri Oputu (Uyo, Nigeria) provided technical support for participants from different regions. Tomilola Olubunmi (Lagos, Nigeria), a behavior scientist, contributed during discussions and provided support during the event. Sekinah Saheed (Ilorin, Nigeria) served as liaison support, bridging clinical practice with public health systems. David Adeyemo (Lagos, Nigeria) brought pharmaceutical and public health perspectives, while Abdulsalam Abdulhakeem (Sokoto, Nigeria), a medical student from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, represented the next generation of healthcare providers.
A foundation for what comes next
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare deserves recognition for taking this essential step. In healthcare systems managing countless competing priorities, autism awareness and early intervention do not always receive attention. By investing in this introductory autism training for 774 healthcare professionals, the Ministry has signalled its seriousness about building comprehensive autism care systems.
The attendees' appetite for advanced autism training was clear. The path forward requires sustained commitment to intensive education programs, opportunities for specialisation, mentorship structures, and continuous professional development. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is building a workforce that provides the expertise Nigeria needs to serve children and families with autism. What an honour to be part of something so significant.