The 16th GTCO Autism Conference, held on July 27–28, 2026 at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, monitored by Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com) marked a pivotal moment in autism advocacy in West Africa. Moving beyond awareness, the two-day event focused on acceptance and inclusion across families, schools, workplaces, and public spaces, while deepening the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in driving societal change.
The conference, themed “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces”, underscored the importance of structured inclusion. It highlighted that individuals on the autism spectrum must be valued, respected, and integrated into everyday life without discrimination.
GTCO’s Orange Ribbon Initiative, launched 16 years ago, continues to serve as the region’s premier autism advocacy platform, demonstrating how sustained corporate commitment can transform public health and social inclusion.
The keynote address by Segun Agbaje, Group CEO of GTCO Plc, set the tone for the conference. He emphasised that inclusion requires collective effort from families, educators, employers, and policymakers. Agbaje stressed that while CSR is vital, it must be complemented by systemic reforms and everyday acts of compassion to build a truly inclusive society.
International behaviour analysts Solape Azazi and Osezusi Bolodeoku enriched the discussions with practical strategies for family acceptance, classroom adaptation, and workplace inclusion. Their sessions broadened the scope of the conference, offering actionable solutions for diverse stakeholders.
Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo made a profound impact by sharing personal experiences of raising an adult child with autism, highlighting the importance of empathy, sacrifice, patience, and informed communication.
From the corporate perspective, Mrs. Ijeoma Onyenobi of Nigeria LNG addressed diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks, stressing the need for organisations to embed inclusive practices into their structures.
Oyinade Adegite, Chief Communications Officer of GTCO Plc, reminded participants that acceptance often lies in small gestures, patience, composure, and compassion in everyday interactions. Her remarks reinforced the idea that inclusion is not only about policies but also about human behaviour.
The conference featured a rich mix of activities: documentary screenings showcasing families navigating autism, iInteractive breakout sessions where educators and employers shared best practices for inclusion. networking opportunities connecting parents, therapists, and policymakers, CSR Showcase, where GTCO highlighted its “no discriminatory hiring policy,” reinforcing its role as a corporate leader in inclusion.
In addition, free one-on-one consultations were scheduled from July 29 to August 1 at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Ikeja, offering parents and caregivers tailored guidance on therapy, education, and support systems.
The conference reinforced that corporate social responsibility must evolve from philanthropy to systemic advocacy. GTCO’s sustained investment in autism awareness and acceptance demonstrates how businesses can shape public policy by convening experts and stakeholders, mpower families through free consultations and resources, promote workplace inclusion by adopting non-discriminatory hiring practices, drive societal change by normalising acceptance in schools, communities, and public spaces.
Essentially, the 16th GTCO Autism Conference was more than a gathering of experts—it was a call to action. By shifting the narrative from awareness to acceptance, GTCO underscored the transformative power of CSR in building inclusive societies. The event highlighted that true impact lies in everyday actions: families embracing their children, schools adapting classrooms, workplaces opening doors, and communities fostering empathy.
