The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has inaugurated a committee to develop a framework for establishing specialised autism centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, expanding access to diagnosis, treatment, and research.

TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono inaugurated the committee in Abuja on Thursday, saying the proposed centres would be in selected university medical schools.

He said the initiative would build on TETFund’s Special High Impact Intervention for medical schools and provide early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, research and professional training, while supporting families and caregivers.

Echono said the committee was considering the centres for funding under the proposed 2027 TETFund Special Intervention, subject to the committee’s recommendations, available resources, and necessary approvals.

He urged members to identify suitable host institutions based on geographical spread, existing facilities, workforce capacity and sustainability, with realistic cost estimates and implementation plans.

The committee’s chairperson and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Prof. Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, said the initiative would address delayed diagnosis and limited access to specialised autism care.

Adejuyigbe identified early intervention, research, professional training, community inclusion and sustainability as key priorities, stressing the need for a multidisciplinary workforce that includes paediatricians, psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and special educators.

She also called for collaboration with schools, primary healthcare facilities, parents’ associations and families to promote early identification and reduce stigma.

The paediatrician warned that long-term financing, equipment maintenance and monitoring must be built into the centres’ plans.

“Our success must not be measured merely by the number of centres established, but by the number of individuals and families whose lives are positively transformed,” she said.

The committee is expected to recommend host institutions, develop operational standards and cost estimates, and propose implementation schedules and a monitoring framework.