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Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has shifted its autism advocacy from awareness to action, unveiling its 16th Annual Autism Regional Conference with a renewed push for greater inclusion across homes, schools, workplaces and public institutions.
The company said meaningful progress will depend on creating environments where persons on the autism spectrum are empowered to participate fully and confidently in society.
The regional conference reflects a deliberate move towards achieving measurable inclusion rather than mere increasing public awareness. It is expected to deepen collaboration among stakeholders working to improve the lives and opportunities of individuals with autism across the region.
It represents a shift from raising awareness to promoting measurable inclusion in every sphere of life. The conference is expected to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders working to improve outcomes for individuals with autism.
GTCO said the initiative remains part of its long-standing commitment to improving developmental support, expanding professional guidance and creating learning opportunities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and their families.
Over the past 16 years, the GTCO Autism Programme has evolved into one of West Africa’s foremost platforms for autism advocacy, bringing together healthcare professionals, therapists, educators, policymakers, caregivers and families to strengthen understanding of autism and encourage wider acceptance.
According to the organisers, this year’s conference seeks to move conversations beyond awareness by promoting practical measures that enable individuals on the autism spectrum to participate fully in society. Discussions and workshops will examine early intervention, behavioural therapy, communication strategies, inclusive education and caregiver support, with sessions led by local and international specialists in developmental and behavioural sciences.
The programme will also extend to Ghana, where a workshop is scheduled for August 4 at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, followed by free consultations from August 5 to 8 at the same venue.
Speaking on the 2026 Autism Programme, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, Mr Segun Agbaje, said the initiative began 16 years ago to support families facing the challenges of autism and has since developed into a platform demonstrating the impact of sustained commitment.
He said this year’s theme calls on every sector of society to move beyond expressions of goodwill by making inclusion visible in schools, workplaces and public spaces.
Agbaje stressed that creating an inclusive society requires collective responsibility rather than isolated efforts.
He noted that families must continue advocating for their loved ones, educators should adapt learning environments, employers should provide opportunities, while policymakers must implement measures that promote inclusion.
According to him, GTCO will continue providing access to expert knowledge and resources aimed at ensuring that individuals on the autism spectrum have genuine opportunities to participate confidently in everyday life.
The two-day conference, themed, “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces,” is scheduled for July 27 and 28 at the Muson Centre, Lagos. Healthcare professionals, therapists, educators, policymakers and caregivers will lead discussions on early intervention, inclusive education and behavioural support.
The event will be followed by free one-on-one consultations with medical and developmental specialists from July 29 to August at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja. GTCO said the consultations will provide tailored support and expert guidance to families of individuals on the autism spectrum.
The conference is expected to attract a broad range of stakeholders committed to advancing autism acceptance and strengthening support systems for affected individuals and their families across the region.
