L-R: Cornelius Onuoha, Managing Director, RedGecko PR Ltd; Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst; Solape Azazi, International Behaviour Analyst; Oluwatosin Onabanjo, Corporate Communications Officer, GTCO Plc; and Osezusi Bolodeoku, International Behaviour Analyst, during the media briefing for the 16th Annual GTCO Autism Conference held in Lagos on Wednesday.
From John Silas
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has announced plans for the 16th edition of its Annual Autism Conference, with a renewed call for greater acceptance, inclusion and support for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.
The 2026 conference, themed “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces,” is scheduled to hold on Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28, at the Muson Centre, Lagos.
The two-day event will be followed by free one-on-one family consultations with medical and developmental specialists, as the financial services group continues its longstanding commitment to autism advocacy and the provision of access to developmental support, professional guidance and learning opportunities.
According to GTCO, the Autism Programme has, over the past 16 years, evolved into a leading platform for autism advocacy and inclusion across West Africa. The initiative brings together healthcare professionals, therapists, educators, policymakers, caregivers and families to promote greater understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and encourage the development of effective support systems.
The Group said sustained engagement and collaboration through the programme have contributed to advancing conversations around acceptance, accessibility and the need to provide the necessary support systems to improve outcomes for individuals on the autism spectrum.
The 2026 theme, “Acceptance in Action,” is designed to shift the conversation beyond awareness and towards practical steps that will create more inclusive environments for individuals on the autism spectrum.
GTCO said the focus is on ensuring that people living with autism are not only accepted but are also supported and empowered to participate meaningfully at home, in schools, workplaces and public spaces.
