By Innocent Anaba
The Kanyeyachukwu Autism Foundation, in partnership with the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, has announced a nationwide autism awareness campaign tagged #RideWithKanye, Impossibility is a Myth, a cross-country cycling expedition from Enugu to Lagos.
The campaign, which is also supported by the National Sports Commission, is scheduled for Lagos on April 2, 2026, to coincide with World Autism Awareness Day.
At the centre of the initiative is 16-year-old autistic Nigerian artist and Guinness World Record holder, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, who gained global recognition for creating the world’s largest art canvas by an individual. Building on his international acclaim, Kanyeyachukwu is set to undertake the endurance cycling journey as a platform to move autism awareness beyond advocacy into practical action.
Organisers said the campaign is rooted in the belief that “impossibility is a myth,” aimed at demonstrating that with the right support, understanding and inclusion, persons on the autism spectrum can thrive without limitations.
More than a sporting event, #RideWithKanye is described as a global social awareness movement designed to mobilise communities, governments, institutions, brands and families toward deeper understanding, acceptance and support for neurodiverse individuals.
As part of its national impact, the campaign is championing what organisers describe as the largest World Autism Awareness Day celebration, in collaboration with Spark a Spectrum, a United States-based autism advocacy platform. The celebration will be driven by the momentum generated from the Kanyeyachukwu Autism Awareness Endurance Ride, bringing together families, advocates, institutions and creatives across the country.
Several strategic partners are supporting the initiative. The Cycling Federation of Nigeria, under the National Sports Commission, will provide 20 professional cyclists who have represented Nigeria internationally to accompany Kanyeyachukwu throughout the journey. Other partners include Cyclology Cycling Club and Koyo HealthTech, which will deploy a team of medical doctors experienced in neurodiversity to provide free medical consultations, developmental screenings and autism-related guidance for parents and the general public at designated stops along the route.
The cycling expedition will pass through major cities across five states, with reception events hosted by state governments and traditional institutions. Each stop is expected to feature autism awareness talks, free medical outreach, youth and sports engagement activities, interactive fitness sessions, community conversations and sponsor activations. A grand finale awareness concert is planned for Lagos.
Organisers said medical support, hydration and recovery stations, emergency response services, security coordination and eco-friendly waste management practices will be put in place to ensure safety and sustainability throughout the journey.
A key objective of the campaign is to raise funds to train 1,000 caregivers of autistic children and adolescents. The training, according to the foundation, will equip caregivers with practical skills for daily support, basic behavioural and communication strategies, recognition of developmental needs and sensory challenges, and methods for promoting inclusion at home, in schools and within communities.
Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, whose record-breaking artwork is titled Impossibility is a Myth, is widely recognised as a symbol of what can be achieved when neurodiverse individuals are supported and empowered. Through #RideWithKanye, organisers said, his personal achievements are being transformed into a national call for autism inclusion and action.
The journey is expected to conclude in Lagos on April 2, 2026, with a major World Autism Awareness Day event featuring performances, awareness conversations, partner showcases and a nationwide call to action for autism inclusion.
