The Federal Government has unveiled new measures to strengthen Nigeria’s cancer response, including the establishment of additional treatment centres and increased funding to expand access and ease the financial burden on patients nationwide.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, announced the plans at the 2025 International Cancer Week in Abuja, organised by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT). The event, themed “Redefining the Future of Cancer: Prevention, Access and Equity for All,” focused on closing gaps in cancer prevention and treatment, particularly in low-resource settings.
Represented by Wale Junaid, his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Salako said the government is reviewing the Nigeria imPACT Review report to guide reforms in cancer care delivery. He added that the National Cancer Health Fund is being restructured to improve efficiency, speed up treatment, and enhance patient outcomes.
“Additional cancer centres are being considered for establishment, while existing ones are being upgraded to reduce patient loads and the rising burden of cancer nationwide,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare, saying, “On this promise, there is no going back until it’s fully achieved.”
NICRAT Director-General, Usman Malami-Aliyu, highlighted recent progress, including over 20 international partnerships that have strengthened research capacity and supported local innovation in cancer treatment. He announced the SINCCAR Initiative, aimed at developing cancer research across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones through funding, training, and equipment for young scientists.
The Chairperson of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Ibrahim Oloriegbe, called for expanded insurance coverage to cushion the financial impact of cancer care on patients and families.
Salako concluded by urging stronger collaboration among stakeholders to build a future where “every Nigerian has equal access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.”
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