Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced a N200 million financial support package aimed at strengthening autism advocacy and improving caregiver capacity in the state.
The Governor unveiled the intervention on Thursday at Lagos House, Marina, during a reception for teenage autism advocate, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, who completed a 687-kilometre cross-country cycling journey from Enugu to Lagos.
The funding, according to Sanwo-Olu, will be split equally, with N100 million allocated to autism-focused organisations under the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs and another N100 million dedicated to the Kanyeyachukwu Foundation.
He described the intervention as a strategic investment to expand access to care and build a pool of trained caregivers for children with special needs.
“This is not just about one child; it is about creating opportunities for many others who may not have the same platform,” the governor said, stressing that strengthening caregiver capacity would significantly address challenges faced by families of children on the autism spectrum.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the gesture aligns with his administration’s broader commitment to inclusion and social support, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The governor also commended Kanyeyachukwu’s endurance cycling campaign, which lasted 15 days and cut across multiple states, describing it as a powerful symbol of resilience and a catalyst for shifting public perception about autism. He said the advocacy had helped to reframe autism from a limitation to a different form of expression and potential.
Earlier, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, described the cycling journey as an inspiring social movement, while the General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to promoting inclusion and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
Held to mark World Autism Awareness Day, the event drew stakeholders across government, advocacy groups and development partners, highlighting growing momentum for autism awareness and support in Lagos.
