By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has disclosed that cancer remains one of the leading causes of death and disability globally, with about 20 million new cases and over 10 million deaths recorded worldwide in 2025, warning that annual cases could exceed 30 million by 2050, with low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria likely to bear the greatest burden.
While unveiled a new national cancer control roadmap, placing strong emphasis on prevention, early detection and improved access to screening services, as part of renewed efforts to curb the rising burden of cancer in Nigeria.
The unveiling of two landmark policy documents — the National Nuclear Medicine Policy and Strategic Plan and the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) 2026–2030 — took place on Wednesday in Abuja during a ministerial press briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Cancer Day, observed globally on February 4 under the theme “United by Unique.”
Speaking at the briefing, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the policies as a major milestone in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector, noting that the National Nuclear Medicine Policy is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
According to him, the Tinubu administration has prioritised cancer care through unprecedented investments in infrastructure, policy reforms and service delivery within a short period in office.
Dr Salako said the Federal Government is intensifying focus on cancer prevention, noting that more than 40 per cent of cancer-related deaths globally are linked to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, unhealthy diets and air pollution.
“To address this, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is working with relevant agencies to reduce exposure to risk factors, expand screening services and integrate cancer-preventive vaccines into the national immunisation programme,” he said.
He explained that the NCCP 2026–2030 provides a comprehensive framework for improving cancer risk assessment, prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and palliative care, while also strengthening research, governance and sustainable financing.
The minister added that the plan promotes the use of precision oncology and artificial intelligence to enhance prevention, diagnosis, treatment planning, research and cancer surveillance in line with global best practices.
As part of efforts to expand early detection services, Dr Salako announced that eight preventive oncology clinics are now fully operational in federal tertiary health institutions across the country.
The facilities are located at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja; FMC Ebute-Meta; University of Benin Teaching Hospital; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto; Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano; and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), will provide free cancer screening services nationwide throughout February, with activities planned across the six geopolitical zones to promote early detection and better treatment outcomes.
In her remarks, the Director and Head of the Hospital Services Department of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Abisola Adegoke, represented by Dr Okpikpi, said the World Cancer Day commemoration provides an opportunity to raise awareness and strengthen collaboration among oncology stakeholders for early detection and prompt treatment.
Similarly, the Director-General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, said the institute is strengthening Nigeria’s cancer response through expanded research capacity, improved population-based cancer registries and the establishment of national cancer screening centres.
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He stressed that early detection remains critical to improving cancer survival rates in Nigeria, adding that NICRAT is shifting cancer care from late-stage intervention to prevention and timely diagnosis.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to working with local and international partners, including the World Health Organization, African countries and global cancer institutions, to reduce cancer-related deaths and improve the quality of life of Nigerians living with cancer.
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