The Nigerian Institute for Behavioural Science, Education and Care Professionals (NIsBEC) has begun operations in Lagos with the unveiling of a professional certification and public registry.
The kick-off, on Monday, brought together behavioural specialists, occupational therapists, educators, healthcare providers, parents, government officials and media representatives. A member of the NIsBEC Board of Directors and Trustees, Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, said the institute was established to address gaps in professional development, research, policy engagement and the delivery of evidence-based services in behavioural health, special education and care.
‘Our goal is to empower practitioners, influence policy, and create a platform for research and knowledge exchange that will transform behavioural science, special education and care in Nigeria,’ Nwokolo said.
He said the institute would serve as a hub for professional development and innovation while promoting access, transparency and adherence to best practices among professionals providing behavioural interventions, special education and other care services.
Nwokolo said the quality of services received by people with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, learning difficulties and other special educational needs often depends on the competence and ethical conduct of the professionals and paraprofessionals supporting them.
He noted that such individuals rely on specialists for education, therapy, behavioural interventions and daily support, making it necessary to establish systems that can help families and institutions identify practitioners with appropriate training and professional competence.
According to him, NIsBEC will work to promote competency standards, verify training and qualifications, encourage ethical conduct and maintain a professional registry across the sector.
Also speaking, Mrs. Daisy Jonathan, a member of the NIsBEC Board of Directors and Trustees, said the institute would provide certification pathways across four broad areas – behavioural science, special education, allied health and care.
She explained that the certification framework would cover paraprofessional, professional and advanced professional practice, with emphasis on competence, integrity, respect, informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, collaboration and person-centred care.
‘Those who successfully complete the process will receive their full NIsBEC certification and be entered into the NIsBEC Certificant Registry,’ Jonathan said.
The registry, she added, will be publicly accessible, allowing employers, organisations, families and other stakeholders to verify the certification status of practitioners.
The launch also highlighted NIsBEC’s plans to support behavioural research and advocate policies that strengthen Nigeria’s mental health, education and care systems.
The institute said it would pursue partnerships with schools, hospitals, universities and care organisations to expand its activities across the country.
It also plans to organise workshops, community outreach and awareness campaigns aimed at improving public understanding of behavioural health and special education.
With the commencement of operations, NIsBEC said it would work to maintain a registry of qualified and certified professionals providing special needs services in Nigeria while promoting higher standards in applied behaviour analysis, special education and allied care practice.