Celebrated autism advocate and internationally published researcher, Oyeyemi Patricia Adako, is set to headline this year’s Orange Ribbon Initiative conference—an event held as part of Guaranty Trust Bank Limited’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
Now in its 15th year, the Orange Ribbon Initiative conference has become one of Africa’s most influential platforms for promoting autism inclusion.
The 2025 edition, themed “From Awareness to Action: 15 Years of Advancing Autism Inclusion,” will take place in Lagos from July 15 to 16, bringing together families, educators, and experts to explore practical strategies for supporting autistic children.
Adako will deliver a highly anticipated keynote titled “Unlocking Silent Potentials: Harnessing AI to Transform Autism Education.”
Her presentation will explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing special education through inclusive, adaptive, and child-centered tools that respond to each learner’s unique needs.
Her groundbreaking insights are grounded in years of hands-on experience. As Executive Director of the Education for Autism Initiative (EAI), Adako has led numerous impactful programmes that combine empathy-based teaching with advanced technology to support neurodivergent learners. With over a decade in special needs education, she’s widely known for her innovative and compassionate approach.
The conference organisers expressed confidence in her leadership, noting: “Oyeyemi Patricia Adako brings a rare blend of academic expertise, global perspective, and heartfelt commitment to her work. Her insights into AI’s potential in special education are timely and transformative.”
Beyond her work in the classroom, Adako is also a passionate advocate for policy change. She has trained educators across Nigeria and internationally, fostered collaborative research projects, and championed reforms to create a more inclusive educational system for children with autism.
“My vision,” she affirms, “is a world in which every autistic child, regardless of geography, has access to personalized, empowering education that unlocks their full potential.”
Her academic achievements include a Master of Arts in Education from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, with specializations in curriculum development, assistive technology, and cross-cultural education. Her research on AI in autism learning has earned international acclaim, with several peer-reviewed publications to her credit.
Adako’s forthcoming book, Smart Learning: AI Tools for Autistic Education, is scheduled for release by UK-based Cambridge Scholars Publishing, further cementing her role as a thought leader in the field.
She will be speaking alongside global experts including Camiella Hay, a licensed and board-certified behavior analyst from New Jersey, USA, and Lanre Duyile, President and CEO of Behaviorprise Consulting Inc., Ontario, Canada, among others.
As the conference turns the spotlight from dialogue to implementation, Adako’s keynote is expected to inspire action and set the tone for a transformative gathering focused on innovation, inclusion, and impact.
