‘Acceptance in Action’: GTCO, Global Experts Outline Roadmap for Neuro-Inclusive Nigeria at 16th Autism Conference

By Azeez Disu

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has reinforced its 16-year commitment to neurodiversity by calling for a national transition from autism awareness to “acceptance in action.” At the 16th edition of the annual GTCO Autism Conference, the organisation advocated for the creation of tangible, inclusive environments that remove barriers across family life, education, the workplace, and public spaces.

Held at the Muson Centre in Lagos, the event brought together international specialists to provide a strategic roadmap for integrating individuals on the autism spectrum into every facet of society.

Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, opened the proceedings by reflecting on the legacy of the Orange Ribbon initiative and the resilience of families navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). “Over the years, one thing has become increasingly clear: acceptance changes outcomes,” Agbaje noted, emphasising that progress depends on the consistent choices made within individual spheres of influence. He urged the public and private sectors to move beyond mere recognition to make inclusion a “lived reality,” stating that the goal is to build a future where “acceptance is not the exception, but the norm”.

Providing a clinical perspective on this societal shift, Dr Bernadette Kilo, Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Consultant, challenged the misconceptions that lead to the exclusion of autistic individuals from essential services. “Different is different. It is not less,” Dr Kilo asserted, noting that no child should be turned away from school because of how their brain works. She specifically called on the corporate world to modernise its approach to talent, stating, “Employers should rethink their hiring process. Offer alternate ways of interviewing… Normalise workplace accommodations”. To those on the spectrum, she offered a message of validation, noting they possess “extraordinary strength” for navigating a world not built for them.

The behavioural framework for this acceptance was further explored by Lanre Duyile, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, who addressed the “land between awareness and acceptance”—a space often riddled with confusion and the misinterpretation of needs. Duyile argued that “behaviour speaks” and that understanding the “why” behind an action is the key to effective support. He explained that everything individuals do is either a search for comfort or an attempt to avoid something aversive. “There’s nothing you and I do without a reason. Everything we do has a reason, including those who live with us,” Duyile noted, urging caregivers and professionals to use data to interpret these communications.

Focusing on the domestic foundation of inclusion, Solape Azazi, International Behaviour Analyst, maintained that “acceptance must first live at home” if it is to succeed in public spaces. She advocated for three major shifts in caregiving: moving from correction to connection, from survival to supportive routines, and from managing the child to “designing the home around dignity and growth”. “Acceptance is love in action,” Azazi concluded, reminding the audience that “an overwhelmed brain cannot learn, it can only survive,” and that inclusion begins where a child feels safe, understood, and valued.

Furthering the discussion on practical tools for engagement, Tomi Agboola-Odeleye, Speech Pathologist, demonstrated the power of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in giving every individual a voice. She dismissed myths that technology hinders development, insisting that “we should always presume competence” regardless of a child’s starting point. By modeling language and providing visual tools like pictures on the fridge, she argued that the communication gap can be bridged in any environment.

The conference, themed “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces,” stands as a cornerstone of GTCO’s advocacy, positioning the brand as a catalyst for a more compassionate and inclusive Nigerian society.