ABA in Nigeria – 2025 Annual Report – Inside Behavior Analysis

By Bosede Asikhia

General Overview

ABA in Nigeria (ABAN) fosters international cooperation by connecting Nigerian behavior analysts with their counterparts worldwide, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, resources, and best practices.
The association organizes annual conferences and collaborative and social networking meetings to provide a platform for discussion and networking among members.
ABAN also emphasizes diversity, social equity and inclusiveness within the field by operating regional coordinating unit of ABAN, promoting participation from individuals of diverse backgrounds during ABAN events and creating opportunities for paper presentations.
These activities highlight ABAN/WABADA’s commitment to promoting the science of behavior analysis and improving the lives of individuals through effective behavior management practices in Nigeria and Africa at large by focusing on raising awareness, recognition and acceptance of the science of behavior analysis by the communities and tertiary institutions.

1. ABAN Accomplishments Over the Past Year (2024)

WABADA AND ABAN Partnership Agreement 2024.

ABAN is in partnership with WBADA to promote the mission and vision of WBADA which is in line with ABAN’s mission of raising awareness, recognition and acceptance of the science of behavior analysis through outreach programs, liaison services, conferences, training, collaborative and social networking meetings, advocacy, supervision and mentorship programs etc.,
ABAN organized four free CEU training events titled ABAN And WBAD connect the dots… March 2024 Harmony in Diversity, through ITC-ABA QABA approved course sequence provider to promote World Behavior Analysis Day celebration and to support ABAN members through recertification challenges.
ABAN’s membership and renewal registration increased because members want access to the free CEUs as active members.

2. ABAN Outreach Programs/Activities and Capacity Building Through Training 2024

ABAN, through the International Training Centre for Applied Behavior Analysis (ITC-ABA), has significantly advanced the recognition and acceptance of the science of behavior analysis in Nigeria by leveraging partnerships with institutions like Edo State College of Education.
The training program has continued to increase the numbers of trained ABA professionals and create more opportunities for collaboration, enhance the quality of ABA training programs and research, foster innovations, and create valuable professional networks, ultimately benefiting students, professionals, and the broader community.
Presently, efforts are being made to gain recognition and acceptance in one of the state universities in the eastern part of Nigeria.
Francis, the Vice President of the Association for Behavior Analysis in Nigeria (ABAN), along with other key stakeholders, has embarked on a comprehensive capacity-building program across the six local councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja-Nigeria.
This initiative focuses on promoting the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA) in the treatment of autism and related special needs.
The training program emphasizes increasing awareness and building practical skills among all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, therapists, and caregivers. Additionally, it underscores the importance of promoting ethical standards and professionalism among practitioners.
In 2024, representing ABAN, Francis, alongside parents and several other stakeholders, engaged in meetings with the Chairman and members of the Committee on Disability and Inclusion. During these meetings, they contributed valuable inputs to the disability policy review process.
This engagement has led to positive impacts, notably the domestication of disability laws, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with special needs.
The collaboration and concerted efforts by ABAN and its partners continue to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for those with autism and other developmental disorders, demonstrating the far-reaching benefits of promoting ABA principles and practices.

A cross session of stakeholders including students of nursing, parents, midwives and other stakeholders.

2b. ABAN Outreach Programs/Activities 2024 by Helen Oshikoya (ABAN Secretary)

Parent training on ABA and Community outreach in Gbagada
Teachers’ training Corona school, Betty School, Oakwood
Worked with national association of play therapist in Nigeria to start the Clinton initiative (CHAI) project for developmental screening in Lagos State and Kaduna
Trained health workers on play therapy and ABA in Lagos and Kaduna
Participated in online secure network

3. ABAN Initiated Letters of Support:

Outcome was successful, which led to two ABAN members attending the ABAI convention in Philadelphia in May, 2024.

4. Capacity Building Through Training [ITC-ABA/EDCOE]

ABAN members participated in chapter leaders’ training session on Friday, May 24, 2024.
ABAN Social Reunion, ABAI, May, 2024: Developmental milestones of the science of behavior analysis in Nigeria: Many rivers to cross.
ABAN EXCO members participated in the ABAI Affiliate Chapters Board online meetings with chapter leaders on November 11, 2024.
Bosede Asikhia presented paper on the: The Permeation of Ethics in the Application of the Science of Behaviors and its associated paradoxes. ABAN And WBAD connect the dots.. [ WBAD Harmony in Diversity] March 2024.
Bosede Asikhia presented a Poster on Bridging the Gap Through Training: Taking ABA From the Lecture Room to the Child, Professionals, and Parents at Home, ABAI, May, 2024.
Bosede Asikhia presented paper on the Perspectives of Applied Behavior Analysis in Nigeria: Successes, Challenges, and the Way Forward: 2024 Annual Conference & General Meeting of Committee of Deans of Education in Nigerian Universities (CODENU).
Dr. Edward Asikhia presented paper on: The Place of Tertiary Institutions in Capacity Building in Nigeria.
Dr. Edward Asikhia presented paper on: That the Poor Nations may not Cease Receiving Effective Behavioral Analysis Training and Services: The Behavior Analysts’ Concerns in Africa, May 29th, 2022.

ABAN Plans for the Upcoming Year 2025

5. ABAN Collaborating With WBADA and Participating in WBAD 25

ABAN will continue to collaborate with WBADA and participate in WBAD 2025 to advance the science of behavior analysis globally and to facilitate its recognition and acceptance in Nigeria by improving on the social networking with ABA Professionals, Agencies, NGOs, and governmental institutions.
ABAN will continue to embark on membership registration drive through enlightenment campaign, ITC-ABA free CEUs training events and provision of discounted registration fees during WBAD celebration due to financial constraints and to prevent members from losing their credentials.
ABAN members will continue to embark on enlightenment campaign across the three main regions to raise awareness about the plight of individuals living with autism and their families during the world autism month celebration.
ABAN will create opportunities for registered members who could afford it to participate in the 2025 ABAI convention due to visa constraints.
ABAN will continue to focus on demystifying the stigmatization attached to behavior analysis services, mostly at school, by visiting and presenting talks across institutions and governmental agencies.

6. ABAN Mentorship and Training Initiative Programs (Ongoing)

ABAN will continue to create opportunities through the dissemination of information about the science of behavior analysis, the provision of discounted fees, scholarship so that potential ABA professionals can access ABA programs via the approved course providers to increase capacity building in Nigeria and across Africa.
ABAN will develop policies guidelines to ensure standardization of service provision through monitoring and supervision.
ABAN is working on developing easy access to supervision and mentorship opportunities through the regional coordinators.

Visit our website: http://www.aban.org.ng for more details or contact: Contact (the Secretary) Helen Oshikoya @ Tel. 08033019774 or (the Treasurer) Tinuola Olaiya@ Tel.08052680401.

Yours Sincerely,

Bosede Asikhia BCBA, QBA, CTP President, ABAN.

“Looking Beyond our Differences”