In adisplay of national unity and determination, Nigeria has officially launched the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (pECCiN), a landmark initiative aimed at eradicating cervical cancer by 2030.
The high-profile launch event, held in Abuja, brought together government leaders, international health experts, civil society organizations, and development partners under the leadership of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a passionate advocate for women’s health.
“This is a defining moment for the health of Nigerian women and girls,” declared the First Lady, calling on state governors, business leaders, and international partners to invest in the campaign. “We must break the stigma and misinformation around cervical cancer. Information is power, and together, we will save lives.”
The initiative is coordinated by the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, and aims to accelerate progress through strategic partnerships, accountability, and resource mobilization. The launch was attended virtually by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and in person by Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, both of whom pledged global support for Nigeria’s leadership in this effort.
Chairing the Local Organizing Committee was Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, President-Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control and Vice Chair of the Taskforce. She emphasized the initiative’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting the urgent need for innovative funding mechanisms to sustain screening, early detection, and treatment programs.
“Nigeria has already made remarkable strides,” Dr. Bagudu said. “Thirteen million girls have been vaccinated against HPV, and with the First Lady’s donation of $700 million, we are taking decisive steps forward. But we must do more—and we must do it now.”
The event also featured emotional testimonies from girls who received the HPV vaccine during the 2023 national rollout, as well as a powerful documentary illustrating the personal toll of cervical cancer.
Representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State reaffirmed the commitment of all 36 state governors to domestically fund cervical cancer prevention and treatment efforts.
The pECCiN initiative unites key partners, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, WHO, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, and other global agencies, to ensure a coordinated approach and long-term impact.
With this ambitious collaboration, Nigeria is setting a precedent for global action on cervical cancer—showcasing what is possible when political will, grassroots advocacy, and international support converge to protect lives.
