NIsBEC Flags Off Operations in Lagos to Advance Behavioural Science, Special Education and Care Practice
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Nigerian Institute for Behavioural Science, Education and Care Professionals (NIsBEC) has officially commenced operations in Lagos, with a mandate to promote professional standards, ethical practice, certification and evidence-based approaches in behavioural science, special education and allied care services across Nigeria.
The institute, which was formally flagged off on Monday, August 24, 2026, was established as a central professional body for practitioners in behavioural health, applied behaviour analysis (ABA), special education and care services.
NIsBEC said its core objectives include advancing professional competence, promoting access and transparency, supporting research and knowledge exchange, raising public awareness and ensuring adherence to ethical and evidence-based standards.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, a member of the institute’s Board of Directors and Trustees, said NIsBEC was established to serve as a hub for innovation and professional development in the sector.
“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,” she said.
The institute noted that many Nigerians 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.
According to NIsBEC, the quality and effectiveness of such services depend significantly on the competence, training and ethical conduct of the professionals providing them.
It said the establishment of the institute would help address this need by providing a unified framework for competency standards, training verification, ethical practice and professional registration within the sector.
Also speaking, Mrs. Daisy Jonathan, a member of the Board of Directors and Trustees, highlighted the importance of professional standards and certification for practitioners providing care and support services.
Jonathan said NIsBEC currently offers certification pathways across four broad areas — behavioural science, special education, allied health and care — with certification categories covering paraprofessional, professional and advanced professional practice.
She said the certification framework would place emphasis on professional competence, integrity, respect, informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, collaboration and person-centred practice.
Practitioners who successfully complete the certification process will receive NIsBEC certification and be listed on the institute’s Certificant Registry, which is designed to provide employers, organisations, families and other stakeholders with a means of verifying practitioners’ certification status.
The flag-off ceremony attracted professionals from occupational therapy, behavioural science, healthcare, education and other allied fields, as well as government officials, parents and media representatives.
Discussions at the event also focused on research and advocacy, partnerships with schools, hospitals, universities and care organisations, as well as community-based initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of behavioural health, special education and related services.
NIsBEC said it intends to support behavioural research, advocate policies that strengthen mental health and education systems, and build partnerships capable of expanding access to quality services across Nigeria.
With the commencement of its operations, the institute said it is committed to strengthening professional competence and accountability in applied behaviour analysis, special education and care, while maintaining a reliable registry of qualified and certified practitioners providing services to individuals with special needs in Nigeria.
**For Registration/partnerships/collaborations:**
[https://nisbec.com/](https://nisbec.com/)
**Enquiries:** 08022590552
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