By Sarah Sam Adda
The Senate has begun consideration of a Bill seeking to establish a National Centre for Autism and six zonal centres across the country to promote diagnosis, research, education, and care services.
Sponsored by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), the Bill aims to improve early detection, treatment, and inclusion for people with autism, while boosting awareness and professional training nationwide.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said the proposed centres, located in Kaduna, Bauchi, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Abuja, would address poor diagnosis and limited public awareness, noting that many Nigerian families struggle to access proper care.
She described the initiative as a “federal response to a developmental and public health challenge,” calling it an act of social justice and national foresight.
The Bill received bipartisan support and was referred by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), for further legislative action.
