Autism awareness has gained momentum in recent times, however, stigma and structural gaps continue to fuel rising autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cases in Nigeria, further eroding the gains from advocacy, experts say.
Global evidence reveals that about one in every 127 children is autistic, with a higher prevalence rate in high-income countries like Europe than in Africa, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
There is no single national dataset on the number of autism cases in Nigeria. However, recent reports by Dataphyte suggest that there are about 932 cases per 100,000 persons in Nigeria as of 2021.
Omotoke Olugbode, founder of the Autism Awareness Foundation in Nigeria, highlighted that structural gaps are the major challenges in managing autism cases in the country.
“Lack of trained professionals, skill gaps, limited therapy centres, particularly in rural and underserved communities,as well as inadequate policies are some of the structural gaps facing autism care in Nigeria,” she noted.
“Imagine that people have to go as early as 5:00 am to the neuro-psychiatric centre in Yaba, Lagos, just to queue and take a number to enable their wards access care due to limited care centres,” she added.
“In my opinion, there’s no surge in autism cases; increased awareness by advocacy groups has resulted in more acceptance, and parents are willing to help their wards access care,” Omotoke explained
Uloma Ejiofor, a member and caregiver at the Nigerian Autistic Society, highlighted how stigma remains a major challenge in managing autistic persons in Nigeria.
“Oftentimes, parents tend to hide their children at home or prevent them from mingling simply because of the stigma and backlash they face, particularly when regular schools turn them down at the point of seeking admission for their autistic children,” she noted.
Dotun Akande, an autism advocate, also highlighted how high therapy costs limit access to quality care for persons with autism.
“It costs between N1.5 million and N3 million per child annually, and a lot of Nigerians cannot afford it, particularly in rural and underserved communities,” she added.
“Autism therapy is not something an individual parent should bear; they should be supported by the government or a community of advocates,” she added.
Equatorial Guinea tops the list in Africa, with 984 cases per 100,000 persons, according to recent reports from Dataphyte.
Every year, on April 2, autism awareness is celebrated globally, and this year’s theme, ‘Autism and Humanity: Every Life Has Value,’ highlights the importance of recognising the dignity and worth of all autistic persons.
“The 2026 theme for World Autism Day is to re-establish dignity and equality for autistic individuals,” experts say.
Socio-cultural constraints
Another growing challenge is the tendency to link autism to fetish practices or cultural beliefs. Experts say this creates a barrier to accessing quality care.
“Some believe that autism is linked to some form of fetish powers as punishment for a crime,” Uloma stated.
However, the World Health Organisation describes autism as a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interaction, communication, and behaviour. Autism is among the top 10 brain health conditions contributing to global health loss.
One implication of these misconceptions is delayed access to care, as many parents avoid early assessment. This delay often makes intervention more difficult.
“The best time to detect and correct autism is between three and five years,” Akande noted.
“Any detection after this age would be a missed opportunity, as it can only be managed,” she added.
What’s the way forward?
Experts say investment in the right resources for autism care is critical to curbing the surge and managing existing cases.
In 2025, a bill to establish national autism centres across the six geopolitical zones was proposed; however, it has not been passed as of the time of this report.
“Beyond commissioning buildings, stakeholders must invest in the right resources, like the establishment of more therapy centres for early detection, investment in professional training, and increased awareness and advocacy. These are the way forward,” Omotoke noted.
The World Health Organisation also states that early identification, inclusive education, and nurturing care within families and communities can significantly improve the health and well-being of persons with autism.
“Every child is a potential resource, with inclusive education and the right care, persons with autism can live their full lives,” Uloma noted.
