Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, called for a halt to discrimination against Nigerians living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and called for greater acceptance of neurodiversity as a key driver of national progress.
In a World Autism Awareness Day 2025 commemoration message, Mrs. Tinubu urged a society that is inclusive and provides equal opportunities for autistic individuals in education, healthcare, work, and participation in society.
“Today’s theme, ‘Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),’ serves as a timely reminder that inclusion is not only an ethical imperative but also a building block of sustainable development,” she added.
She emphasized institutionalized obstacles confronting autistic people in gaining quality education (SDG 4) and decent employment (SDG 8) despite their extraordinary talents and capacity.
“Neurodiversity is such a great celebration of human difference. We all think differently,” she stated. “It is our collective duty that no Nigerian is left behind because of how they think, learn, or interact with the world.”
Mrs. Tinubu called on policymakers, educators, employers, and community leaders to take concrete actions in speaking up for neurodivergent individuals and promoting an inclusive society.
“On this special day, I invite all Nigerians to be inclusion champions and work together to build a society where every individual has the ability to thrive,” she said.
World Autism Awareness Day, marked annually on April 2, promotes international awareness and acceptance of autism and the fight for the rights and well-being of those on the spectrum.
