•Gov commends teenage autism advocate, Kanyeyachukwu for completing advocacy journey to Lagos
LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu marked the World Autism Awareness Day on Thursday, with a N200 million financial support to the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) and Kanyeyachukwu Foundation for autism advocacy and caregiver development.
He announced the N200 million support while receiving teenage autism advocate and Guinness World Record holder for youngest individual to complete a cross-country cycling journey, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, at the Lagos House, Marina.
Governor Sanwo-Olu received Kanyeyachukwu, who embarked on 687 kilometres of Endurance Cycling from Enugu to Lagos from March 17 to April 2. During the 15-day long-distance cycling advocacy journey tagged ‘#ImpossibilityIsAMyth’, the teenage autism advocate passed through Anambra, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Ogun states before arriving in Lagos on Thursday.
Speaking during the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu pledged a donation of N100 million to autism-focused organisations under the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) and an additional N100 million to the Kanyeyachukwu foundation.
From left: Father of the recipient, Mr. Tagbo Okeke; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; recipient of Guinness World Record Award and teenage autism advocate, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke; his mother, Dr. Silvia Tagbo Okeke and Cycling club members during the presentation of the Guinness World Record award to Kanyeyachukwu as the youngest individual to complete a cross-country Cycling journey, held at the Lagos House, Marina, on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the funds would serve as a first-level support to strengthen autism advocacy, expand access to care and train more professional caregivers for children with special needs.
“I will give N100 million to all autism-focused groups under LASODA and an additional N100 million from the Lagos State Government to the foundation. This is not just about one child. It is about using this platform to touch many others who do not have the same opportunity.
“We must train and develop real caregivers with the knowledge and skills required to support our children with special needs. Once we do that, half of the problem is solved,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the feat by the teenage autism advocate had gone beyond setting a record, describing it as a powerful message of hope, resilience and inclusion for persons on the autism spectrum.
He said Kanyeyachukwu had demonstrated that every child, irrespective of condition, carried immense value, talent and potential waiting to be nurtured and celebrated.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the young advocate had turned awareness into action by using his journey to spotlight autism and inspire families across the country.
“He has shown us that every child on the autism spectrum carries within them something extraordinary, something waiting to be seen, waiting to be supported and waiting to be celebrated.
“Today, we are not just receiving a record holder, we are receiving a young Nigerian of rare courage, great strength and remarkable determination. Your advocacy has helped many people to see autism not as a limitation, but as a different way of expressing and contributing to our world,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also praised Kanyeyachukwu’s parents, grandparents and extended family for their sacrifice and unwavering support, saying the success story reflected the strength of a committed family structure behind a child with special needs.
He particularly commended the young advocate’s mother for what he described as her passion, sacrifice and steadfast belief in her son.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also lauded the Kanyeyachukwu Foundation for transforming a personal story into what he called a national movement for autism advocacy.
Speaking earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, said Kanyeyachukwu’s journey was a bold and inspiring initiative that had grown into a movement for social impact.
He thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for providing the platform and support needed to amplify the advocacy campaign in the state.
Also speaking, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, said the agency remained committed to protecting the rights and interests of persons with disabilities in Lagos State.
She said LASODA, established about 15 years ago, had continued to champion policies and programmes aimed at ensuring that persons with disabilities were not excluded from opportunities in education, healthcare and social support.
Oyetunde-Lawal also acknowledged the support of the First Lady of Lagos State, saying her consistent interest in the welfare of vulnerable groups had encouraged many families.
In his remarks, Kanyeyachukwu’s father, Mr Tagbo-Okeke, thanked the Lagos State Government for receiving the team and supporting the advocacy journey.
He also commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for fostering a youth-friendly administration and for backing initiatives that uplift vulnerable members of society.
He said: “We came all the way to Lagos because we believe this is truly the Centre of Excellence. We did not record a single accident or mishap throughout the journey, and we give God the glory for that.
“Lagos stands out because of the quality of leadership and the commitment of this administration to young people and to causes that matter.”
The event drew government officials, disability advocates, family members, development partners and supporters of autism inclusion.
Kanyeyachukwu was celebrated for using endurance cycling as a platform to deepen autism awareness, inspire caregivers and advocate broader social support for children with special needs.
