When 32-year-old Moses Ataben left Nigeria to pursue a doctorate in neuroscience at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the United States, he carried more than textbooks in his luggage. He had a burden – the silent cries of Nigerian children living with neurodevelopmental disorders, many of whom are misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or abandoned.
Today, his research on inherited peripheral neuropathies is earning him accolades in medical circles abroad. Nevertheless, back home, Ataben is focused on something more urgent — reforming Nigeria’s special needs education and healthcare systems to support children with autism, intellectual disability, and related conditions. “What many Nigerians call ‘spiritual attack’ or ‘curse’ is often a brain development issue,” Ataben told Punch in a virtual interview. “We need to move from superstition to science.”
Ataben is advocating for a total overhaul of how the Nigerian government approaches special needs education. He believes reforms must include regular training for health workers, teachers, and religious leaders, who are often the first point of contact for families.
“Doctors, nurses, pastors, and even school teachers must be trained to understand what autism or intellectual disability is. It is the only way to ensure early detection and proper care,” he said.
He also wants the government to subsidise medical assessments and therapies so that low-income families are not left out. “No child should be excluded from getting help simply because their parents cannot afford it.”
Experts agree that the reforms are overdue. Dr Kemi Ajayi, a paediatric neurologist at LUTH, says many children in Nigeria are brought in too late. “By the time we see them, they have been misdiagnosed several times or kept at home in shame,” she said.
Mrs Eno Udom, who runs a special school in Uyo, confirmed that most public schools are not equipped to support children with special needs. “Many teachers do not even know what autism is. They see the child as stubborn or slow,” she said.
For parents like Mr. Tunde Alade, whose son was diagnosed with autism at age five, Ataben’s suggestions are a breath of fresh air. “If we had better awareness and support, we would have gotten help earlier,” he said.
Reforming Nigeria’s special education system is a significant undertaking. Experts say poor funding, limited personnel, and widespread cultural beliefs could slow progress. “It is not just a policy change. We need a mindset shift,” said Mrs Jumoke Bello, an education consultant.
Still, Ataben is hopeful. He believes the government can start by investing in diagnostic tools and building local capacity in neurology. “We do not need to wait for foreign aid. The expertise is growing — we need political will.”
Beyond the labs of Missouri, Moses Ataben dreams of a Nigeria where children with special needs are not hidden but helped. Where mothers are not blamed but supported, furthermore, science leads the way.
“We owe it to the next generation,” he said. “Let us build a system where every child, regardless of their condition, has a chance to thrive.”
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