Governor Dapo Abiodun Supports Autism Awareness Campaign With ₦20m Donation

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has donated twenty million naira to support the “Cycling for Autism with KanyeChukwu” initiative, as part of activities marking World Autism Awareness Day.

The governor made the announcement while receiving the campaign team at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Governor Abiodun emphasized that autism is not a disease, but a unique condition that requires understanding, patience, and proper care.

The governor described children living with autism as gifted individuals whose potential can be unlocked with the right support and dedication.

He praised 16-year-old Nigerian artist and autism advocate, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, for his remarkable achievements.

The teenager, who lives with non-verbal autism, holds a 2025 Guinness World Record for creating the world’s largest art canvas in Abuja.

The governor also commended the young artist’s parents for nurturing his talent and refusing to see his condition as a limitation, noting that their efforts serve as inspiration to other families.

He urged parents of children with autism to focus on discovering and developing their children’s abilities, rather than allowing them to be marginalized.

Earlier, Kanye’s father had highlighted the need for greater awareness and support, noting that autism care can be expensive and that there is a shortage of trained caregivers in Nigeria..

He explained that the “Cycling for Autism” campaign is traveling across several states, raising awareness in communities, schools, and religious centres, while also seeking to train at least one thousand autism caregivers nationwide.

The initiative, supported by the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, is expected to cover over 600 kilometres across the country.