GTCO Tasks Stakeholders on Acceptance to Real-World Action, as 16th Annual Autism Conference Kicks Off in Lagos

The 16th Annual Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), Autism two-day Conference kicked off at the MUSIN Centre in Onikan, Lagos

on Monday with an overriding call to action on Nigerians and the world to move beyond mere awareness creation to practical, and everyday inclusion for individuals living on the autism spectrum.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), reflected on the decade-and-a-half journey of the initiative, acknowledging the significant landmark made in breaking down societal stigma and denial surrounding autism in Nigeria.

Agbaje said, “Over our 16-year journey, our primary goal was to create awareness because so many families were living in denial about children or adults on the autism spectrum.

“Today, I think we have achieved that. Every day, I meet people who are now willing to accept that they have family members on the spectrum.”

The GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer emphasized how heightened awareness has even helped adults in their 50s, who grew up struggling through school labeled simply as “slow” and finally understanding their place on the spectrum.

Speaking on this year’s theme at first day of the conference, Agbaje offered a honest perspective on the reality facing families, educators, and employers as he acknowledged that awareness has grown, adding that true acceptance in classrooms, workplaces, and homes, remains a complex, ongoing challenge that requires more than just goodwill.

“When we talk about acceptance in action in the classroom or the workplace, it is not always easy.

“As much as we want to make life easier for people, the reality is that not every environment or organisation is currently equipped to handle those on the spectrum. What we must learn now is how to cope, how to live together, and how to support one another practically,” he added.

According to him, the mission is a continuous journey without a destination rather than a fixed target.

In his words: “This is a journey without a destination because, until there is a cure, it remains a journey. That means we will keep hosting clinics, learning better ways to manage the condition, and teaching people how to cope better. Even if we don’t reach the final destination in our lifetime, we must make the journey easier for those living with autism and their families.”

The two-day conference continues in Lagos, featuring expert-led sessions, practical workshops, and free clinical assessments designed to equip parents, caregivers, and professionals with actionable strategies for autism support.

The first day of the conference featured  six sessions with paper presentations from facilitators that includes Dr. Bernadette Kilo; Tomi Agbala-Odeleye, and Lanre Duyile; Solape Azazi.