…….Shades of Life Foundation says its four-day cross-border campaign will use cycling to promote greater understanding and inclusion of autistic people and their families.

A Nigerian autism advocacy group is taking its awareness campaign across the country’s border into Benin Republic, as it seeks to draw attention to the challenges faced by autistic people and their families.

The Shades of Life Foundation says the third West Africa edition of its Ride4Autism campaign will run from 18 to 21 August, with cyclists travelling from Lagos to Benin Republic and back.

The organisers will spend two nights in Ouidah and one night in Grand-Popo during the four-day journey.

The campaign comes as governments and advocacy groups across the region continue to grapple with limited public understanding, diagnosis and support for people with autism.

The World Health Organisation estimates that about one in 127 people worldwide had autism in 2021. It also says prevalence data remains limited in many low- and middle-income countries, including parts of Africa.

Why the Benin route matters

The foundation says the cross-border ride is intended to show that autism and the need for inclusion extend beyond national boundaries.

“Autism knows no borders. By extending our work to Benin Republic, we are building bridges of understanding and ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive,” said Dr Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and chief executive of Shades of Life Care Limited and Shades of Life Foundation.

She described the expansion as a step towards the foundation’s goal of promoting inclusion, understanding and empowerment across West Africa.

The organisation says Ride4Autism began five years ago, while its West Africa edition is now in its third year.

However, the announcement does not provide figures showing how many people the campaign has reached in previous editions or evidence of measurable changes in attitudes, access to services or autism diagnosis.

That distinction matters because awareness campaigns can help reduce stigma, but awareness alone does not guarantee access to assessment, education, therapy or other support.

Benin has been increasing its focus on autism

The campaign arrives at a time when Benin is itself expanding efforts to identify and support children with autism.

In March 2026, the Beninese Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance announced a national early-screening campaign for children showing possible signs of autism.

The initiative followed earlier government efforts to strengthen services for autistic children.

In 2024, Benin launched a pilot project for integrated care of children with autism, focusing on health and educational support and the training of professionals.

The government has also acknowledged persistent gaps in diagnosis, care and support.

At a 2023 meeting on autism, Benin’s social affairs minister said myths surrounding autism could lead some parents to hide their children. The government called for stronger professional capacity, research and inclusive policies.

Benin’s disability framework also includes a 2017 law protecting and promoting the rights of people with disabilities.

The Ride4Autism campaign therefore enters a country where autism awareness is already part of a wider public-policy discussion.

Awareness is only part of the challenge

For families, the bigger question is what happens after awareness improves.

WHO says autism can be identified during early childhood, although many people are diagnosed later. It also says evidence-based psychosocial interventions can improve communication, social skills and quality of life.

This places pressure on health, education and social-protection systems to provide services after families recognise possible signs.

Nigeria faces similar challenges.

In 2025, the Nigerian Senate began considering a bill to establish a national autism centre and six zonal centres to provide diagnosis, care, education and inclusion support. The proposal also includes research, professional training and a national autism registry.

The proposal illustrates a wider issue: advocacy can increase public attention, but sustained change requires funding, trained professionals, reliable data and accessible services.

What the ride could achieve

The foundation describes Ride4Autism as more than a cycling event. It says the campaign aims to encourage dialogue, challenge stigma and amplify the experiences of autistic people and their families.

Its cross-border approach could also create opportunities for Nigerian and Beninese advocates to exchange ideas about diagnosis, education and inclusion.

But the impact will ultimately depend on what follows the publicity generated by the ride.

The organisers have not announced specific policy commitments, new services or funding targets linked to the 2026 campaign.

For families affected by autism, the next test will therefore be whether increased visibility translates into practical support.

The cyclists are expected to begin the Lagos-to-Benin journey on 18 August and return to Nigeria after the four-day campaign.

The story will now move beyond the ride itself: whether the attention generated across the border produces lasting conversations, stronger services and greater inclusion for autistic people.

When Adaoma Nnabeze first noticed her younger brother struggling to read, write and keep pace with his classmates, she believed he had dyslexia.

It would take years of searching, costly specialist learning programmes, repeated trips across Nigeria and consultations with experts before the family discovered that 20-year-old Wisdom Nnabeze is autistic.

Their experience, shared during the closing session of the 16th Annual Autism Conference organised by GTCO, reflects a broader challenge confronting many Nigerian families: autism is often recognised late, while specialist assessment and support remain concentrated in a handful of major cities.

“We didn’t know what autism was,” Adaoma said during an interview at the conference.

She explained that growing up in Anambra State, the family had little access to developmental specialists. Wisdom, born prematurely at seven months, was slow to walk, talk and acquire basic learning skills. His academic progress stalled despite repeated efforts from relatives and teachers.

Believing dyslexia was the problem after watching the film ‘Stars on Earth’, Adaoma sought specialist tutoring in Abuja and invested in imported learning materials, including the Barton Reading System.

Although there was some improvement, questions remained unanswered.

It was only after consultations with specialists, including professionals linked to a Dyslexia Foundation and later clinicians at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), that the family received an autism diagnosis.

That diagnosis, she said, transformed their understanding of behaviours they had previously interpreted as stubbornness or deliberate disobedience.

“Now we understand him differently. We know he wasn’t pretending or being difficult.”

A wider national problem

Health experts say Wisdom’s story is far from unique.

While reliable nationwide autism prevalence data are unavailable in Nigeria, specialists acknowledge that many children remain undiagnosed or receive diagnoses only in adolescence or adulthood.

Much of the country’s diagnostic capacity is concentrated in Lagos, Abuja and a few tertiary hospitals, leaving families elsewhere with long journeys and significant financial costs.

Internationally, autism diagnoses have increased substantially over the past decade. Speakers at the conference cited United States surveillance figures showing estimated prevalence rising from one in 68 children in 2010 to one in 36 by 2021, a trend researchers largely attribute to improved awareness, broader diagnostic criteria and earlier identification rather than evidence that autism itself is becoming more common.

Education remains a major hurdle

For Wisdom, the consequences of delayed diagnosis extended beyond healthcare.

He left formal education after Primary Five because he struggled within a conventional school system that relied heavily on standard examinations and traditional teaching methods.

Yet his family says he demonstrates remarkable strengths in practical construction, technology, gaming, animation and music.

Afeez Akanji Abdul Rasak during his session yesterday.

His story echoed a recurring theme throughout the conference: autistic children are frequently judged by academic weaknesses rather than recognised for their abilities.

Autism Scholar and Educator, Afeez Akanji Abdul Rasak, urged parents and educators to shift from what he described as a “deficit-focused” mindset.

Instead, he argued that families should “see the child, not the diagnosis”, identifying each child’s strengths rather than concentrating solely on limitations.

He noted that autistic people may possess abilities across different forms of intelligence, including visual-spatial, musical, mathematical or interpersonal skills, while some display exceptional talents known as savant skills.

Preparing children for adulthood

Another recurring concern was what happens after childhood.

Dr Torica Exume, a Psychologist and behaviour analyst, argued that support should not stop at therapy but should prepare autistic children for employment and independent living.

She recommended introducing vocational assessments during late childhood to identify strengths and gradually build workplace skills.

Her proposed pathway included career exploration, practical work experience, supported employment and long-term career development.

She also urged employers to rethink traditional recruitment processes by offering interview questions in advance, allowing alternative communication methods and adapting workplaces through quieter environments, flexible schedules and sensory accommodations.

Case studies presented during the conference illustrated how autistic employees can thrive when workplaces provide appropriate support.

Behaviour is communication, experts say

Dr Abiola Taiwo, a Clinical psychologist, challenged common assumptions surrounding behavioural difficulties associated with autism.

Aggression, refusal to follow instructions, classroom disruption and self-injury, she said, are often forms of communication rather than deliberate misconduct.

She cited research indicating that between 56% and 94% of autistic children experience behavioural challenges.

Instead of punishment, she advocated identifying environmental triggers such as hunger, lack of sleep, sensory overload or communication barriers.

Simple interventions including visual schedules, quieter classrooms, clear instructions and structured routines, can significantly reduce behavioural incidents, she said.

Acceptance beyond awareness

The conference concluded with a panel discussion urging Nigerians to move beyond awareness campaigns towards practical inclusion.

Panelists argued that acceptance should be measured not by policies alone but by everyday actions in homes, schools, workplaces and public spaces.

Examples included adapting classroom presentations for anxious students, allowing autistic individuals to regulate sensory stress without judgement and challenging stereotypes through positive storytelling.

Dr Bernadette Kilo reinforced that autism is lifelong.

“Children with autism become adults with autism,” she said, urging communities to understand different communication styles and sensory needs instead of expecting autistic people to conform to neurotypical behaviour.

She also called on employers and creative industries to recognise autistic talent, suggesting that musicians, artists and other professionals establish programmes that nurture gifted autistic young people.

Panel Session on “How Everyday Citizens can Drive ‘Acceptance in Action’ from the Home to the Public Square “

What remains unclear

While conference speakers outlined practical recommendations, significant questions remain about implementation.

Nigeria has disability legislation intended to improve accessibility and inclusion, but many parents and advocacy groups continue to report shortages of trained specialists, limited diagnostic centres, inadequate teacher training and insufficient educational support.

Speakers repeatedly called for governments at federal and state levels to expand autism awareness campaigns, train more specialists, strengthen inclusive education and create employment opportunities.

However, no new government policy commitments or funding announcements accompanied the conference.

For families like the Nnabezes, that means the search for support often depends more on persistence than on a coordinated public system.

Adaoma believes many other families are facing similar struggles without knowing why.

“There are many children who have not been diagnosed because parents simply don’t know where to go,” she said.

For those families, she argued, earlier diagnosis, better public awareness and stronger educational support could change not only children’s futures but also society’s understanding of autism.

The conference highlights a growing recognition that autism is not solely a medical issue but also an education, employment and social inclusion challenge. Without earlier diagnosis and stronger support systems, many autistic Nigerians risk missing educational and employment opportunities despite possessing significant abilities.

What happens next?

Advocacy groups are expected to continue pressing governments, schools and employers to adopt more inclusive policies. Whether those recommendations translate into expanded diagnostic services, teacher training and workplace reforms will determine whether awareness leads to lasting change.

For years, autism advocates in Nigeria have focused on raising awareness about the condition. Today, many families are more familiar with autism than they were a decade ago.

However, experts say awareness alone has not translated into acceptance, leaving many autistic children and adults struggling with stigma, exclusion and limited opportunities.

That concern took centre stage at the 16th GTCO Autism Conference in Lagos, where specialists, educators, healthcare professionals, parents and advocates called for practical action to make homes, schools, workplaces and public spaces more inclusive.

The conference, themed “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces,” examined the gap between understanding autism and creating environments where autistic people can thrive.

“We Have Achieved Awareness”

Speaking at the conference, GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, said the conversation around autism has changed significantly since the organisation began its advocacy efforts 16 years ago.

According to him, many families previously struggled to acknowledge autism within their homes, often hiding affected relatives because of stigma and misconceptions.

Today, he said, awareness has improved considerably, with more people willing to discuss autism openly.

Agbaje revealed that some adults in their 40s and 50s have only recently discovered they are on the autism spectrum after spending much of their lives believing they were simply poor learners.

But despite this progress, he argued that acceptance remains a bigger challenge.

“We have achieved awareness. Acceptance is harder,” he said.

He noted that while society often supports the idea of inclusion in theory, many autistic people continue to encounter barriers in classrooms, workplaces and public settings.

Families Remain the First Test of Acceptance

Clinical psychologist,Dr Bernadette Kilo said acceptance begins long before a child enters school or seeks employment.

She described the family as the most important environment for shaping confidence and self-worth among autistic children.

According to her, many families still blame mothers for autism diagnoses, attribute the condition to spiritual causes or hide children from public view because of fear of judgement.

Such attitudes, she warned, can increase anxiety, depression and behavioural challenges.

“Being different is okay,” she told participants.

Dr Kilo urged parents to learn about autism together as a family, celebrate progress and seek support networks instead of struggling in isolation.

Schools Still Struggling With Inclusion

Education emerged as one of the sectors facing significant challenges.

Dr Kilo cited estimates suggesting that more than 600,000 children in Nigeria may be living with autism, though many remain undiagnosed.

She said only a fraction of autistic children currently learn in mainstream classrooms.

While many schools now accept autistic learners, she argued that genuine inclusion requires trained teachers, classroom support systems and learning methods that recognise different ways of processing information.

“Inclusion means learning alongside peers with the right support,” she said.

She called for autism education to be integrated into teacher-training institutions rather than relying solely on periodic workshops.

Why Many Autistic Adults Remain Unemployed

Another recurring concern was the lack of opportunities available to autistic adults.

Experts said many employers continue to rely on recruitment processes that unintentionally exclude neurodiverse candidates.

Dr Kilo argued that many autistic individuals possess valuable skills but struggle during conventional interviews.

She called for alternative assessment methods, structured onboarding programmes and workplace accommodations that allow employees to perform at their best.

These include flexible communication approaches, sensory-friendly environments and manager training.

Behaviour Is Often Misunderstood

Behaviour analyst, Lanre Duyile, challenged parents and teachers to rethink how they interpret challenging behaviours.

He said many actions commonly labelled as “bad behaviour” are actually attempts to communicate discomfort, pain, frustration or unmet needs.

Using case studies, he demonstrated how crying, aggression and self-injury often have identifiable causes that can be addressed through observation and assessment.

“Every behaviour has meaning,” he said.

According to him, misunderstanding behaviour creates frustration for both families and autistic individuals and can prevent effective support.

Giving a Voice to Non-Verbal Children

Communication specialist, Tomi Agboola-Odeleye, highlighted the importance of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools for children who do not communicate through speech.

She explained that communication is not limited to spoken words and can include pictures, symbols, sign language and digital devices.

Importantly, she stressed that parents do not need expensive equipment to begin supporting communication.

Simple tools such as photographs, picture cards and homemade communication boards can help children express needs, preferences and emotions.

She encouraged families to assume competence rather than underestimate a child’s potential.

Beyond Managing Children

For family development expert, Solape Azazi, acceptance should be reflected in everyday parenting decisions.

She encouraged caregivers to move away from constant correction and focus instead on building connection.

According to her, children are more likely to learn when they feel safe, understood and respected.

“Acceptance is love in action,” she said.

She urged parents to create predictable routines, respect sensory sensitivities and adapt home environments to support children’s development.

Government and Society Have a Role

Autism advocate, Afeez AbdulRasak, said responsibility for inclusion cannot rest solely on families.

He called on government institutions to support autism policies with adequate funding while urging employers, schools, religious institutions and media organisations to play active roles.

According to him, the conversation must move beyond awareness campaigns towards social inclusion.

“People may know what autism is, but that does not mean they are accepting of autistic individuals,” he said.

He argued that true inclusion occurs when autistic people are not merely accommodated but valued for their contributions.

What Happens Next?

Experts at the conference agreed that Nigeria has made significant progress in understanding autism.

However, they warned that awareness campaigns alone will not eliminate the barriers autistic people face every day.

The challenge now, they said, is ensuring that acceptance is reflected in public policy, education systems, healthcare services, workplaces and community life.

For autistic individuals and their families, the measure of progress will not be how many people have heard of autism, but whether society creates opportunities for them to live, learn, work and participate without discrimination.