NIsBEC Launches in Lagos to Raise Standards in Behavioural Science, Special Education and Care Practice
The Nigerian Institute for Behavioural Science, Education and Care Professionals (NIsBEC) has officially commenced operations in Lagos, marking a significant step towards strengthening professional standards, ethical practice and quality care for individuals with special educational and behavioural needs across Nigeria.
NIsBEC was established as a professional and regulatory body committed to promoting the highest standards of competency and practice in applied behaviour analysis (ABA), special education, behavioural science and allied care services.
The institute is designed to provide a central platform for professionals in behavioural health, special education and care, while promoting professional development, public awareness, transparency, research, knowledge sharing and evidence-based practice.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, a member of the Board of Directors and Trustees of NIsBEC, said the institute would serve as a hub for innovation, research and professional development.
“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.”
Across Nigeria, individuals living with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, learning difficulties and other special educational needs rely on professionals and paraprofessionals for education, therapy, behavioural intervention and daily support.
NIsBEC noted that the quality of such services can have a profound impact on the learning, development and wellbeing of beneficiaries. The institute therefore seeks to establish a unified system for setting competency standards, verifying professional training, promoting ethical conduct and maintaining a credible registry of qualified practitioners.
Also speaking, Mrs. Daisy Jonathan, a member of the Board of Directors and Trustees, emphasised the importance of professional certification and ethical standards within the care sector.
According to her, NIsBEC currently provides certification pathways across four broad areas: behavioural science, special education, allied health and care, with categories covering paraprofessional, professional and advanced professional practice.
She explained that the certification framework places strong emphasis on competence, integrity, respect, informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, collaboration and person-centred practice.
Successful candidates will receive full NIsBEC certification and be listed on the NIsBEC Certificant Registry, a publicly accessible platform designed to enable employers, organisations, families and other stakeholders to verify the certification status of practitioners.
The flag-off ceremony attracted professionals from occupational therapy, behavioural science, education, healthcare and allied care, alongside government officials, parents and media representatives.
Discussions at the event focused on strengthening research and advocacy, developing partnerships with schools, hospitals, universities and care organisations, and expanding community-based initiatives such as workshops, awareness campaigns and outreach programmes.
Participants also explored ways of supporting behavioural research and advocating policies capable of strengthening mental health, education and care systems across the country.
With its official flag-off, NIsBEC has positioned itself to play a pivotal role in advancing professional competence, ethical standards and evidence-based practice in behavioural science, applied behaviour analysis and special education, while providing a credible registry of qualified professionals serving individuals with special needs in Nigeria.