FG Targets Cancer Control as Global Partnerships, 35 New Radiotherapy Machines Loom

"The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritised cancer prevention, including the integration of Human Papillomavirus vaccination into routine immunisation, expansion of cervical cancer screening and the integration of screening services into primary healthcare facilities." Salako 

.... Says “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." 

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to reduce Nigeria’s cancer burden through expanded prevention, early detection and treatment, while strengthening partnerships with leading global cancer institutions.

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 the government had made partnerships central to the implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) 2026–2030, noting that international expertise, technology and resources would be critical to improving cancer outcomes.

According to him, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritised cancer prevention, including the integration of Human Papillomavirus vaccination into routine immunisation, expansion of cervical cancer screening and the integration of screening services into primary healthcare facilities.

“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.

He further revealed that the Federal Government had commenced construction of six cancer centres of excellence, with three already completed and the remaining three at various stages of development.

The minister also disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators between 2027 and 2029, a move expected to substantially expand access to radiotherapy and strengthen Nigeria’s cancer treatment capacity.

Salako, who formally inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium, described the initiative as an important platform for improving knowledge, collaboration and treatment outcomes for Nigerians living with blood cancers.

He also commended members of the Global Advisory Council and NCCP Technical Working Group for mobilising expertise, networks and resources in support of Nigeria’s cancer-control agenda, particularly their assistance to pathology laboratories.

Earlier, Chairman of the NCCP Technical Working Group, Professor Folakemi Odedina, said the initiative had brought together Nigerian experts at home and abroad, government, academia, healthcare providers, patients, advocates, industry and international partners around a common national cancer-control vision.

Odedina disclosed that the group was also laying the foundation for a stronger oncology clinical-trials ecosystem to develop Nigerian researchers, strengthen trial-ready institutions and expand patients’ access to clinical trials.

She said a new strategic institutional partnership was emerging 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 assured that the council would work with relevant national institutions and geopolitical zones to accelerate progress towards Nigeria’s 2030 cancer-control targets.

The meeting ended with the ceremonial signing of a strategic partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCCP Technical Working Group and members of the Global Advisory Council.