By Mercy Gadia Adi
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has called for deeper continental cooperation to confront Africa’s escalating cancer burden, as he outlined sweeping reforms and expanded infrastructure under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking at the Africa Oncology Collaboration and Innovation Forum held from December 5 to 8 in Luxor, Egypt, Salako warned that cancer has become a “silent epidemic” claiming more African lives annually than war, AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
Citing GLOBACAN 2022 data, the Minister disclosed that Africa recorded 1,185,216 new cancer cases and 763,843 deaths, driven by late detection, environmental factors, lifestyle risks and weak treatment systems. He noted that Nigeria accounts for 10.5 per cent of the continent’s total burden, ranking among Africa’s top three alongside Egypt and South Africa.
“These unacceptable figures demand that we bridge borders, share resources and establish a coordinated Pan-African response. This is the essence of healthcare Pan-Africanism,” Salako said.
He announced that Nigeria has scaled up its national cancer response, building on the establishment of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment in 2017. Over the last 31 months, he said, political will and funding for oncology services have increased significantly.
Key interventions include six new cancer centres of excellence, procurement of advanced oncology equipment, enhanced human resource development, and strengthened bilateral and regional partnerships.
Salako also unveiled two major national policy documents: the National Nuclear Medicine Policy and Strategic Plan, and the Nigeria National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, due for launch in the first quarter of 2026. The plan aligns with global frameworks, including WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative and the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.
On prevention, the Minister reported strong progress in the HPV vaccination programme, introduced in October 2023, which has immunised nearly 15 million girls aged 9 to 14. Nigeria’s National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination has set targets to screen half of eligible women by 2027 and ensure full treatment of detected precancerous lesions.
To ease financial hardship, he disclosed that the National Health Insurance Programme is finalising a catastrophic health insurance scheme covering cancer care, while government support for the National Cancer Health Fund and the private-sector-led Cancer Intervention Fund is being expanded.
Salako affirmed Nigeria’s backing for the proposed African Oncology Network, describing it as a catalyst for expertise sharing, investment mobilisation and equitable access to cancer care across the continent. “Nigeria is ready to contribute to entrench this spirit of Africa oncology collaboration and Cancer Care Pan-Africanism that bridges borders and shares resources,” he said.
During a tour of Shefa Alorman Hospital in Luxor, Salako praised the facility as a model of African innovation and sustained commitment.
He urged African leaders to place healthcare—particularly cancer care—at the core of the continent’s integration agenda under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, saying shared health challenges demand collective solutions beyond politics and trade.
The forum brought together oncology experts, policymakers, development partners and civil society organisations under the theme: “Bridging borders for a stronger oncology care future in Africa.”