Schools and educators must shift focus from simply recognising autism to building practical classroom skills that support neurodivergent students.
This call to action was made by Mr. Segun Agbaje, Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), during the 16th edition of the annual GTCO Autism Conference held recently in Lagos.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day event, themed: “Acceptance in Action,” Agbaje noted that while 16 years of advocacy have successfully broken the culture of denial surrounding autism, the education sector and broader Nigeria must now transition toward active classroom inclusion and skill acquisition.
Agbaje highlighted that increased awareness has revealed a historical gap in the school system.
Many older adults, now in their 50s, are just realising they are on the spectrum after decades of struggling academically and socially without a proper diagnosis or learning support.
To prevent future generations of students from falling through the cracks, Agbaje urged for a systematic shift toward equipping families, schools and workplaces with the tools to manage the daily realities of autism.
“Over a 16-year period, we have done a decent job of creating awareness,” Agbaje said. “For me, after awareness, learning how to cope and learning how to live with people on the spectrum is the next thing we have to deal with.”
Because autism has no cure, Agbaje described the advocacy and educational adaptation as a continuous journey.
He emphasised that the goal for educators and caregivers must be to improve understanding, strengthen support systems, and lower the barriers to learning.
Reaffirming GTCO’s commitment to supporting the educational ecosystem, Agbaje stated, “Our responsibility is to try to make the journey a little easier for you, to educate you, help you cope, and help you live fulfilling life.”
The conference directly addressed these educational needs through specialised expert panels.
Sessions focused on practical strategies for classrooms and homes, including “Practical caregiver strategies for communication, regulation, and daily routine,” and “Behaviour speaks: Listen, Understand it, Take Action: Using simple functional assessment in homes and classrooms,” providing educators with immediate, actionable tools for student support.