The Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) has said that it’s forthcoming Autism Conference would raise the bar for autism advocacy by moving Nigeria beyond simply recognising Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to creating practical, inclusive environments where individuals on the spectrum can thrive.
Announcing the 16th edition of the programme in Lagos on Wednesday, GTCO said this year’s conference, themed “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces,” will hold on July 27 and 28 at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, followed by four days of free one-on-one consultations with Local and international developmental specialists from July 29 to August 1 at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.
Unlike previous editions that focused largely on raising awareness, the 2026 conference aims to translate awareness into measurable action by encouraging families, schools, employers, policymakers and communities to deliberately create opportunities for people living with autism.
Participants will benefit from expert-led discussions, workshops and personalised consultations covering early diagnosis, behavioural therapy, communication strategies, inclusive education and caregiver support.
Speaking at the media briefing, GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, said the conference represents 16 years of sustained commitment to ensuring families affected by autism no longer feel isolated.
“This year’s theme, ‘Acceptance in Action,’ challenges all of us to move past good intentions and start making inclusion visible in the way we design our schools, structure our workplaces and welcome one another in public spaces,” he said.
Agbaje stressed that building an inclusive society requires collective responsibility.
“No single institution can build an inclusive society alone. It takes families willing to advocate, educators willing to adapt, employers willing to open doors and policymakers willing to act.”
GTCO’s Chief Communications Officer, Oyinade Adegite, said acceptance begins with everyday acts of kindness and understanding.
She noted that many parents experience stigma when their autistic children display behaviours such as stimming in public, urging Nigerians to replace judgement with empathy.
“Acceptance is not a big word. Sometimes it simply means creating space, responding instead of reacting, and never forgetting our humanity,” she said.
Behaviour Analyst and Psychologist Osezusi Bolodeoku described inclusion as “action, not words,” urging community members to help families access support instead of isolating them.
Founder of Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative, Solape Azazi, called on parents to first accept their children without blame or shame.
“See the child before the diagnosis,” she advised, explaining that informed families become powerful advocates capable of reducing stigma within neighbourhoods, schools and places of worship.
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo urged organisations to redesign workplaces and public facilities to accommodate people with autism through empathy, flexible communication, sensory-friendly spaces and reasonable adjustments.
A major innovation this year is the stronger emphasis on practical inclusion beyond clinical care. Discussions will focus on making schools more accommodating, creating autism-friendly workplaces, improving communication, encouraging sensory-friendly public spaces and promoting policies that support lifelong inclusion.——-END
