The Federal Government has announced plans to establish additional cancer centres and increase funding for cancer treatment to improve healthcare access and ease the burden on patients across Nigeria.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, disclosed this at the 2025 International Cancer Week hosted by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) on Tuesday in Abuja.
The event, themed “Redefining the Future of Cancer: Prevention, Access and Equity for All,” aligns with global efforts to close gaps in cancer care, particularly in low-resource settings.
Salako, represented by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr. Wale Junaid, said the Federal Government was reviewing recommendations from the Nigeria imPACT Review Report to transform cancer care delivery nationwide.
He noted that reforms were underway in the National Cancer Health Fund to enhance efficiency and ensure better outcomes for patients, including reducing delays in treatment.
“Additional cancer centres are being considered for establishment, while existing ones are being upgraded to reduce patient load and tackle the growing cancer burden across the country,” he said.
The minister emphasized the importance of cancer prevention, equity, and access to healthcare, reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive medical services.
“President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring every Nigerian, regardless of social status, has access to quality healthcare. On this promise, there is no going back until it’s fully achieved,” he said.
Prof. Usman Malami-Aliyu, Director-General of NICRAT, said the institute had signed over 20 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with global cancer experts since its establishment two years ago.
He noted that the partnerships had strengthened Nigeria’s capacity for cancer research, enabling more local studies and innovations to improve treatment outcomes.
Malami-Aliyu also announced the launch of the SINCCAR Initiative, which targets the development of institutional cancer research across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones through training, funding, and equipment support for early-career researchers.
“The first phase of the programme has equipped hospitals with research tools and delivered capacity-building sessions to researchers across Nigeria’s growing cancer ecosystem.
NICRAT has also awarded ₦10 million seed grants per project to successful researchers to promote impactful, homegrown cancer research,” he stated.
Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), highlighted the devastating physical, emotional, and financial toll cancer imposes on patients and their families, regardless of social class.
He noted that even affluent Nigerians struggle to afford treatment, while late presentation of cases continues to cause preventable deaths.
“Cancer is not a death sentence. If detected early and treated promptly, many patients can survive. What we need is better access and timely intervention,” Oloriegbe said.
He called for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, equitable access to cancer care, and the provision of essential medical equipment to improve outcomes nationwide.
Prof. Anuja Jinghran, a radiation oncologist from the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in the United States, noted that cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer affecting women globally — despite being preventable.
She advocated for stronger HPV vaccination policies, better screening access, and treatment of precancerous lesions in line with the World Health Organization’s cervical cancer elimination goals.
Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, First Lady of Imo State and Chairperson of the First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), called for a coordinated and sustainable approach to cancer control in Nigeria.
She said FLAC remains focused on expanding community-based screening, raising public awareness, and forging strategic partnerships to strengthen cancer care infrastructure and support systems nationwide.
