By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has taken a significant step toward advancing cancer treatment and medical innovation, as it opened high-level talks with international partners to introduce Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell therapy in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking at a ministerial engagement in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the collaboration with Caring Cross and global stakeholders aims to bridge the gap in access to cutting-edge therapies on the continent.
Salako described the initiative as a strategic effort to strengthen Nigeria’s scientific capacity and healthcare delivery by leveraging advanced medical technologies, noting that Africa has long been excluded from access to innovative treatments.
He said the meeting, convened in partnership with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), aligns with the broader health agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises collaboration, research, and local capacity development.
The minister emphasised that the government is focused on equipping Nigerian clinicians and scientists with the skills and partnerships needed to deliver homegrown solutions, improve medicine security, and build resilient health systems.
Drawing lessons from global success stories, Salako referenced the development of artemisinin by Chinese scientists—an innovation that revolutionised malaria treatment—as a model for how scientific research can transform local knowledge into globally impactful healthcare solutions.
He noted that ongoing reforms under the current administration, including initiatives such as the Presidential Initiative on Vaccine Access and the Pharma Sector Presidential Order, are already driving health security, economic growth, and job creation through evidence-based policies.
Salako highlighted the urgency of the initiative, pointing out that Africa remains the only continent yet to fully adopt CAR T-Cell therapy, a breakthrough treatment particularly effective in certain cancers. He said the engagement marks the beginning of efforts to scale the technology across Nigeria and the wider African region.
To ensure progress, the minister directed the NIPRD Director-General to deepen collaboration with willing partners and provide regular updates, pledging continued government support through high-level coordination.
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He commended the presence of key stakeholders, including heads of institutions, academics, and industry leaders, describing their participation as a clear indication of growing recognition of the need to prioritise healthcare access and innovation.
Salako concluded by urging stakeholders to position scientific research and innovation at the centre of Africa’s healthcare transformation, expressing optimism that the engagement would mark the beginning of a new era where partnerships translate into life-saving solutions.
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