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GTCO Marks 15 Years of Advancing Autism Inclusion: From Awareness to Action
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July 10, 2025
GTCO Marks 15 Years of Advancing Autism Inclusion: From Awareness to Action
Written By Dedeigbo Samson Ayodeji
Posted By Town Crier News Nigeria
Published By Fitness Network Communications
In a heartfelt press conference commemorating 15 years of commitment to autism awareness, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) reaffirmed its dedication to not just spreading understanding, but also driving actionable change for individuals living with autism and their families. Since the inception of its Autism Program, GTCO has moved from simply raising awareness to providing real, impactful solutions across Nigeria and beyond.
“This journey is very close to our hearts,” said Oyinade Adegite Head of Corporate Communication GTCO, a key representative of GTCO. “Autism affects children and adults alike, people who sometimes struggle to express themselves. It’s a call on society to do better, to understand that people are different, and that doesn’t make them bad or good.” He expressed deep gratitude to media professionals whose platforms have amplified the cause over the years. “These platforms would not exist without you.”
Over the past 15 years, GTCO’s efforts have extended across borders, from major Nigerian cities like Lagos and Abeokuta to Ghana and Uganda, pushing the frontiers of autism advocacy and service delivery. This expansion has led to earlier interventions, a feat many professionals at the conference acknowledged as a game-changer.
Grace Bamigboye, a Consultant, Speech Language Pathology,an analyst, emphasised how GTCO’s consistent sponsorship has shifted public perception. “Before now, many people didn’t want to associate with children on the spectrum. Some parents didn’t even seek help until the child was five or six years old.
But today, because of awareness, families are coming in as early as 11 or 18 months to seek support and diagnosis. That is progress.”
For Sholape Azazi, a mother and founder of an autism-focused initiative, the awareness came at a critical time. “Eight years ago, when I first faced autism in my family, I didn’t know what to do or where to go. I had so many questions and no platform to turn to. Thanks to GTCO, that’s no longer the case for many parents today.”
Educational psychologist Bolodeoku Osezusi highlighted that this year’s programme will provide strategic plans to guide parents on early interventions.
He shared his personal experience as a parent, noting that he recognised signs early and acted. “It’s not always easy to get access to experts like Dr. Grace Bamigboye, but platforms like this make the difference. My son is 12 years old now, and the early steps we took changed everything.”
Ade Otubanjo, from GTCO’s Public Communications Unit, addressed questions from the press and provided data gathered over the years. “We’ve engaged over 5,000 families. I remember our campaign in Abeokuta, where we taught parents to love and embrace their children. We’ve done the same in Ghana, Uganda, and various Nigerian states.”
She also touched on the importance of cultural sensitivity in autism care. “In Nigeria, we are special people.
In the past, some parents would explain away their child’s behaviour to grandparents using spiritual narratives. But today, many of those same families are recognising symptoms and seeking help. We’re merging science with culture, and we’re getting there.”
GTCO’s approach considers not just the child, but their entire environment. “We change the mindset of the people around the child,” Onabanjo explained. “Autism is not spiritual; it’s a neurological condition.
The child is just different, and care must be taken one step at a time.”
He recalled how GTCO once partnered with Lagos State Teaching Hospital to promote policy change and push for the development of resort-like therapy centres. “We worked with former governors and are still pushing for these policies. Implementation is key, we can no longer focus solely on the cause. Once there’s awareness, action must follow.”
Medical professionals at the event reiterated that while no single cause of autism has been identified, a mix of environmental and biological factors, such as malnutrition during pregnancy, inadequate prenatal supplements like folic acid, and postnatal exposure to harmful drugs, may contribute.
“We need more treatment centres,” one speaker said plainly. “We should engage at the grassroots level.” In one effort at Ikoyi/Obalende, GTCO secured community permission to engage with women directly on the streets. “We discovered 20 families who thought autism was a spiritual issue. They lacked understanding, so we partnered with the market women leader to organise a town hall meeting.”
The initiative didn’t stop there. “We sent our report to the House of Assembly, submitted the project, and secured support. That’s how we begin to make a difference, by combining community collaboration, education, and policy advocacy.”
Fifteen years on, GTCO is no longer just creating awareness. It is building systems, shifting mindsets, and setting the pace for inclusive care in West Africa. As Adegbite concluded, “This is n
ot just about knowing,this is about doing. From awareness to action, the journey continues.”
