The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen cancer prevention, early detection and treatment through expanded international partnerships, investments in infrastructure and increased access to radiotherapy services.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this in Abuja while receiving members of the Global Advisory Council of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group.
Salako said cancer remained a major global health challenge, with the burden particularly severe in Africa due to late presentation, high mortality, inadequate infrastructure and manpower, as well as limited resources.
He said partnerships were central to the implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, stressing that international expertise and collaboration would be critical to achieving sustainable progress in cancer control.
According to him, the administration of President Bola Tinubu has prioritised cancer prevention, including the integration of Human Papillomavirus vaccination into the routine immunisation schedule as a major intervention against cervical cancer.
He added that the government was also expanding cervical cancer screening, improving public awareness and integrating screening services into primary healthcare centres to promote early detection.
“Prevention is better and cheaper than cure. We are doing everything we can to expand immunisation, improve screening and ensure that cancer is detected at a very early stage,” Salako said.
The minister further disclosed that the Federal Government had commenced the construction of six cancer centres of excellence across the country, with three already completed and the remaining three at various stages of development.
He said President Tinubu had also approved the procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators between 2027 and 2029 to expand access to radiotherapy and strengthen the country’s cancer treatment capacity.
Salako commended members of the Global Advisory Council and the Technical Working Group for their expertise, networks and resources in supporting Nigeria’s cancer control agenda.
He also appreciated the council for its support to pathology laboratories in the country, assuring that donated equipment would be deployed effectively to improve diagnostic services.
The minister urged the council and the Technical Working Group to continue mobilising expertise, resources and wider international partnerships to support Nigeria’s cancer control efforts.
He said sustained collaboration among government, medical experts, development partners and other stakeholders would contribute significantly to reducing the cancer burden in the country.
“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I deeply appreciate what you are doing for us. Your commitment, sacrifice and dedication are highly valued,” he said.
Salako also formally inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium, describing it as an important platform for advancing knowledge, collaboration and improved outcomes in the management of blood cancers.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that partnerships established through the National Cancer Control Plan translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. mni, welcomed the delegation and expressed hope that the engagement would be beneficial to Nigerians.
The Chairman of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group, Prof. Folakemi Odedina, who led the delegation, expressed appreciation to the ministry for its confidence and support for the initiative.
Odedina said the Technical Working Group had created an opportunity to bring together Nigerian experts at home and in the diaspora, government, academia, healthcare providers, patients, advocates, industry and international partners around a common national vision for cancer control.
She assured that the council would work with NCCP subcommittees, geopolitical zones, integration hubs and national institutions to accelerate measurable progress towards the 2030 cancer control targets.
Odedina disclosed that the NCCP Technical Working Group had become operational, with implementation of structures established under a coordinated national framework.
On cancer research, she said the NCCP was laying the foundation for a stronger national oncology clinical trials ecosystem aimed at developing Nigerian investigators, strengthening trial-ready institutions and expanding patients’ access to clinical trials.
She said the initiative would also position Nigeria as a major contributor to cancer research in Africa and globally.
Odedina further announced a new model of strategic institutional partnership between Nigeria and leading global cancer institutions, including the University of Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Fox Chase Cancer Center and Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.
She said the institutions would work within a coordinated framework aligned with Nigeria’s national cancer control priorities.
“Together, we can change the trajectory of cancer in Nigeria,” Odedina said.
The meeting ended with the ceremonial signing of strategic partnership agreements between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group and members of the Global Advisory Council.