RBM Foundation Marks 5th Anniversary with Renewed Commitment to Autism Support in Nigeria

The RBM Foundation is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year with a renewed focus on building a comprehensive ecosystem for children with autism and their families in Nigeria.

Founder Maria Okafor revealed that the organisation was born from a deeply personal encounter with the challenges faced by families of children with autism. “The foundation was born out of a deeply personal encounter with the realities families of children with autism face; from late diagnosis, limited access to quality therapy, and a lack of structured support systems, ”she said.
“I saw children being misunderstood and families navigating the journey alone. That gap became impossible to ignore.”

Over the past five years, the foundation’s vision has evolved significantly. “Our vision has
evolved from simply providing support to a few families into building a holistic ecosystem; one that includes early diagnosis, therapy, caregiver empowerment, professional training, and advocacy,” Okafor explained. “Today, we are not just addressing needs; we are shaping
systems that can sustain long-term impact.”

A major milestone came one year ago when the foundation unveiled its first physical 24/7 therapy center and care home. “Unveiling our first physical center was a major milestone,” she
noted. “It marked our transition from primarily outreach-based support to a structured, consistent service delivery model. The center has enabled us to provide hands-on therapy, assessments, and caregiver support in a more coordinated and impactful way”

The organisation has recorded measurable impact over the years.
“Over the past five years, we
have impacted hundreds of children and families directly and many more indirectly through awareness campaigns and community outreach,
” Maria said. “We’ve supported early diagnosis, improved access to therapy, and empowered caregivers and parents with the knowledge and
tools they need.”

She shared some of the most powerful stories from the journey.
“Some of the most powerful
stories come from families who initially had no understanding of their child’s condition but are
now confident advocates,
” she recounted.“ We’ve seen non-verbal children begin to communicate and engage meaningfully, and parents who once felt isolated are now building supportive networks.”

The founder also reflected on the personal significance of the dual celebration. “This dual
celebration is very symbolic. It reflects growth on both a personal and organisational level,
”Okafor said.

“One year ago, I took the bold decision to move back to Nigeria and open a physical center… Celebrating both milestones together is a reminder of how far we’ve come.
”Looking ahead, Maria Okafor outlined ambitious goals for the next five years.“Our goals for the next five years include expanding access to our services through additional centers, increasing affordability of therapy, strengthening advocacy efforts, and influencing policy around
developmental health and inclusive education, ” she stated.
“We aim to build a sustainable
ecosystem that supports children with autism at every stage of their developmen