Manny Ita –
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced a major support package of ₦200 million to boost autism advocacy and caregiver development in Nigeria. The announcement was made at Lagos House, Marina, during the reception of 16-year-old autism advocate and artist, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, who completed a historic cross-country endurance journey.
The Journey: “Ride with Kanye”
Kanyeyachukwu, who is non-verbal and on the autism spectrum, embarked on a grueling 687-kilometer cycling expedition that began in Enugu on March 14 and terminated in Lagos on April 2, coinciding with World Autism Awareness Day.
The journey, tagged “#RideWithKanye,” aimed to shift the national conversation from mere awareness to measurable inclusion. Supported by his family and a medical team, the teenager traveled through several states—including Anambra, Delta, Edo, Ondo, and Ogun—meeting with state leaders and local communities to spotlight the potential of individuals living with neurodiversity.
Allocation of the ₦200 Million Fund
Governor Sanwo-Olu, moved by the teenager’s resilience and courage, detailed that the ₦200 million donation would be split into two primary streams:
- ₦100 Million: Dedicated to the Kanyeyachukwu Autism Foundation to scale its advocacy efforts.
- ₦100 Million: Allocated to autism-focused organizations managed under the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA).
During the reception, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the funds are intended as “first-level support” to strengthen advocacy, expand access to professional care, and train more specialized caregivers. ”Today, we are not just receiving a record holder; we are receiving a young Nigerian of rare courage and remarkable determination,” the Governor stated. “Kanye has shown that autism is not a limitation, but a different way of expressing intelligence and creativity.”
Kanyeyachukwu is no stranger to the spotlight. In 2025, he set a Guinness World Record for creating the world’s largest art canvas (over 12,000 square meters) in Abuja. His latest feat as a solo cyclist aims to inspire parents of children with special needs to focus on nurturing their unique talents rather than viewing their condition as a barrier.
The initiative also received financial support from other regional leaders during the trek, including a ₦20 million donation from Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun earlier in the week.
