…At the 15th GTCO Autism Conference, stakeholders urge for inclusive tech innovations to meet Nigeria’s neurodiverse learners where they are.
By Bunmi Yekini
Executive Director of the Education for Autism Initiative, **Oyeyemi Adako**, has called for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative tool to improve learning outcomes for neurodiverse children, especially in underserved Nigerian communities.
Speaking during her keynote address titled “Unlocking Silent Potentials: Harnessing AI to Transform Autism Education” at the 15th Annual Autism Conference hosted by Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) in Lagos, Adako urged education and technology stakeholders to move beyond outdated teaching approaches.
“AI has the potential to become the key that unlocks learning for millions of neurodiverse learners, especially where traditional models fail,” she said.
Referencing the historic relationship between Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan, Adako added: “We are not talking about science fiction. We are talking about technology that helps us see the learner, not just the diagnosis.”
She decried the reality of overcrowded classrooms, rigid curricula, and a shortage of trained support personnel as critical barriers to learning for children with autism. “What if Nigerian developers built AI tools for our own context? What if every teacher had access to at least one assistive tool?” she asked.
Adako proposed a four-point action plan to bridge existing gaps:
Train more teachers in inclusive methods
Invest in locally developed, offline-capable AI tools
Build strong public-private partnerships
Promote accessible educational technologies in both rural and urban schools
In his opening remarks, GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Segun Agbaje, reiterated the company’s long-standing commitment to neurodiversity and inclusive education.
“What began as a simple commitment to autism awareness has evolved into a national movement for inclusive support and advocacy,” he stated. “This year’s theme, ‘From Awareness to Action’, is a bold call to not just listen, but act.”
Since its inception in 2009, the GTCO Autism Programme has delivered thousands of free consultations, therapy sessions, workshops, and conferences, helping shape autism care and advocacy across Nigeria and beyond.
The conference also featured international experts, including Georgiana Koyama, a UK-based Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst and founder of All Behaviour Consultancy, who stressed the importance of learner dignity in inclusive spaces. “True inclusion is about being seen, heard, and respected, not just accommodated,” she said.
Joining virtually from New Jersey, Camiella Hay, Director of ABA Services at Owen Health Care, emphasised the need for culturally grounded approaches. “Autism is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Effective care must reflect cultural and contextual realities,” she noted.
As the 15th GTCO Autism Conference continues this week, it brings together families, educators, health professionals, and advocates to explore fresh innovations in autism support—particularly the growing promise of AI and assistive technology in transforming special education systems across Africa.