- Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has marked World Autism Awareness Day with a N200 million support package for the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) and the Kanyeyachukwu Foundation to boost autism advocacy and caregiver development.
The Governor announced the donation while receiving teenage autism advocate and Guinness World Record holder, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, at Lagos House, Marina, following his 687-kilometre endurance cycling journey from Enugu to Lagos, which passed through several states over 15 days.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the funding—split between autism-focused organisations under LASODA and the Kanyeyachukwu Foundation—would strengthen advocacy, improve access to care, and support the training of professional caregivers for children with special needs.
He described Kanyeyachukwu’s journey as a powerful message of resilience, inclusion and hope, noting that it has helped shift perceptions of autism from limitation to potential. He also praised the teenager’s family for their unwavering support, as well as the Kanyeyachukwu Foundation for turning a personal story into a national advocacy movement.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, and the General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, commended the initiative and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to disability inclusion and support for vulnerable groups.
Kanyeyachukwu’s father, Tagbo-Okeke, expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for its support, describing the state as a hub of excellence for youth development and social advocacy.
The event brought together government officials, disability advocates and development partners, highlighting ongoing efforts to promote autism awareness and inclusion across the state.