.Supporting cancer victims is our collective responsibility.–Women Affairs Minister
.Mrs Tinubu urges Nigerians to prioritize health
. Cancer, not a death sentence – Expert
AKOR Sylvester and Chidinma Uchegbu with agency reports
The Federal Government has stated it’s resolve to establish and upgrade 6 Federal Teaching Hospitals with new Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine facilities across the country for easy access to cancer care services and treatment.
Three of the centers are planned to be commissioned in May 2025 and the remaining 3 will be commissioned on or before the 2026 World Cancer Day.
The Minister of state for Health and social welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako who stated this in his address to commemorate the 2025 World Cancer Day in Abuja Tuesday, said the government intends to sustain the initiative throughout the life span of this administration so that before 2030, every part of the country would have been equipped to treat all forms of cancers.
He said the decision is the administration’s unique strategy to attain the WHO global target of eliminating cervical cancer and other preventable cancers by the year 2030.
According to the Minister, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is upscaling its efforts to improve access to cancer care services in all the Federal Tertiary Hospitals for prompt diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
He said “The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) is working to ease of access to the cancer health fund and expand its scope in terms of the types of cancers covered and the health institutions where they can be accessed. In 2025, the agency has proposed an major increase in the volume of funding available. NICRAT has also initiated reforms to formalise and harmonize cancer registries across the country to create a unified, government-operated digitally enabled platform that enhances data collection, surveillance and research in line with international standards. The agency is also working with our hospitals to upscale the provision of clinical preventive services for cancers.
“Apart from these diagnostic and treatment services being implemented by our agencies, the Ministry through the National Cancer Control Programme continues to deliver on its responsibility of developing relevant policies and guidelines for cancer prevention and control in Nigeria in line with the National Health Act 2014. We shall continue to engage the State Ministries of Health through the National Council on Health to ensure optimal uptake and implementation of the various policies in order to achieve a cancer free Nigeria.
“One of the major areas of disease management including cancer care that we are lagging behind is in the area of Nuclear Medicine services. As a country we developed very robust initiatives including partnering with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to develope Nuclear Medicine programme in Nigeria. The National Nuclear Medicine Management Committee that was set by the Ministry in 2010 did their best and facilitated training of several Nuclear Medicine physicians and other allied healthcare professionals.
“However, due to lack of requisite infrastructure, we have lost more than half of the trained physicians to other countries. In our commitment to ensure health security, I have approved the reconstitution of the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group to serve as an advisory body to the Ministry on development and implementation of Nuclear Medicine services in the country. This will also strengthen our collaborative efforts with the IAEA and other international agencies.
“As part of the 2025 World Cancer Day commemoration, it is my pleasure to innaugurate the newly constituted NM-TWG carefully selected to involve Nuclear Medicine Physicians, relevant training, regulatory institutions and agencies involved in cancer care, financing and research bodies, civil society groups, equipment manufacturers, other relevant professional bodies and cancer advocates. The Technical Working group is to be chaired by Dr Ololade Kehinde who is one of the Nuclear Medicine Physicians trained by the Ministry while the National Coordinator, National Cancer Control and Nuclear Medicine Programme will serve as the Secretary and Head of Secretariat for effective feedback to my office. Other members of the NM-TWG are hereby listed. Let me charge you to put your intellectual resources and networks at the disposal of Nigeria for better management of cancers and other diseases.
“Before I end this address, I must thank all our international development and implementing partners as well as multilateral agencies that have been supporting us to improve cancer care in Nigeria. Let me use this opportunity to formally acknowledge the memorandum sent to the Ministry by the World Health Organization (WHO), conveying the inclusion of Nigeria as a focus country for Global initiative for Childhood Cancers (GICC). This inclusion means a lot to us as it will support Nigeria to provide improved access to quality cancer care for the children. I wish to extend our gratitude to the Director General of WHO through the Nigeria country Representative Dr Walter Mulombo for this inclusion. I hereby encourage all the development, bilateral and multilateral partners to put Nigeria first in all their considerations for cancer care programmes and initiatives. I call on all Nigerians to unite against cancers by taking personal actions for prevention and early diagnosis”.
Noting the importance of the day, and the efforts the government has made to address the issues, the Minister said: “In order to bring to the fore, the need for concerted effort to ensure prevention and control of cancer, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) at the first World Summit Against Cancer in 2000 in Paris, declared 4th February every year as the World Cancer Day.
“The annual commemoration of the World Cancer Day provides UN member States including Nigeria, national and multinational cancer organizations and indeed all opinion leaders around the world with the opportunity to showcase their various efforts in improving the quality of life of cancer patients through advancement and increased investment in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research.
“The theme of the 2025 World Cancer Day ‘United by Unique’ with emphasis on “United in our goals, Unique in our needs”, is apt and timely as it seeks to address the need for unity of purpose to ensure prevention of preventable cancers and treat the treatable ones based on our unique strategies and peculiarities. I am particularly glad to inform you that the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, provides unique opportunities for cancer prevention and care in Nigeria as the administration has prioritized the health sector and particularly cancer care.
“The government has made substantial investment in cancer prevention and care within the last 18 months probably more than any other administration in the history of our country.
“The Renewed Hope agenda has a central placement for healthcare and treats the health of Nigerians as an urgent matter of right. In consonance with this, the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative which is the blueprint developed to actualize the vision of Mr. President is resting on unique 4 pillars including, improving health care governance; improving population health outcomes (with priority on efficient, equitable and quality health system); unlocking healthcare value chain (through various platforms and strategies including sector Wide Approach, local manufacturing of health commodities, research and innovation); and the health security of Nigerians.
“Using this blueprint, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has recorded several unique achievements in our quest to address cancer challenges in the country ranging from primary prevention through vaccination, early detection, prompt treatment and Research. It is pertinent to note that the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) is leading the Human Papilloma virus vaccination for primary prevention of cancer of the Cervix as well as the Hepatitis immunization for prevention of liver cancers thus focusing preventive attention on the second and fouth most common cancers in Nigeria.
“While the vaccination for viral hepatitis has been on the National Programme on immunization, HPV Vaccination was commenced in 2023. It is heartwarming to note that we have successfully immunized over 12 million girls for Human Papilloma virus and effort is ongoing to improve on the successes recorded so far”, he said.
The minister enjoined parents, opinion leaders and indeed all stakeholders to take advantage of the immunization programmes to prevent the vaccine preventable cancers.
He informed that the Nigerian government is also exploring a unique approach to cancer care through health insurance coverage for cancers.
In accordance with the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022, the Minister said NHIA has developed a robust concept note and implementation plan for Catastrophic Health Insurance which shall support patients with end stage renal diseases, sickle cell disease and cancers.
He maintained that the Catastrophic Health Insurance will benefit from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and other funding mechanisms within the NHIA, noting that the Ministry will give NHIA all the necessary support to seamlessly implement the Catastrophic Health Insurance.
In the same vein the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has joined the global community to commemorate World Cancer Day, assuring patients that they are not alone in the struggle to recuperate, as she also praised the resilience of those who have survived the scourge.
The theme of World Cancer Day 2025: ‘United by Unique’, highlights the value of individualised, patient-centered care in the fight against cancer.
The theme also highlights the importance of personalising treatment to each patient’s unique needs.
In a statement signed by her Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Mr Jonathan Eze, on Tuesday, the Minister pledged solidarity with women and families affected by cancer and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting their fight against this devastating disease.
The statement reads in parts: “To the women and families affected by cancer, I want to assure you that you are not alone.
” We stand with you in this fight, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the support and care you deserve.
“Cancer affects everyone, but women are disproportionately impacted, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
“In Nigeria, breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that women have access to quality healthcare, screening, and treatment services.
“As we mark World Cancer Day, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, I want to assure women across Nigeria that we are committed to supporting your health and wellbeing.
“We will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to increase awareness about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment options, improve access to quality healthcare services, including screening and treatment programs, support research and development of innovative cancer treatments and therapies.”
“Let us unite to create a world where every woman has access to quality cancer care, and where no woman has to face cancer alone.”
Also lending her voice, The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to prioritise their health and support one another in the fight against cancer, emphasising the need for awareness, early detection, and equitable access to treatment.
Tinubu, who made the call on Tuesday in her message in commemoration of the 2025 World Cancer Day (WCD), highlighted the devastating impact of cancer on individuals and families globally.
The WCD is observed annually on Feb. 4, to raise awareness about cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, with a global push towards reducing the impact of the disease.
“As we observe world cancer day today, we are reminded of the burden cancer places on millions of individuals and families in Nigeria, and around the globe.
“This year’s theme, ‘United by Unique’, underscores the importance of personalised cancer treatment, ensuring that care is tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient.
“The theme emphasises the significance of adapting cancer treatments to cater to the unique needs of each individual. This day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to combat this global health challenge.
“In Nigeria, cancer remains a leading cause of death, but with determination and partnership, we can change this narrative.
“Every individual, regardless of their socio-economic status, deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life, free from the devastating impact of cancer,” she stated.
The first lady, however, called on all Nigerians to take proactive steps by undergoing regular screenings and embracing early detection methods, which significantly improves survival rates.
Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to supporting initiatives that promote cancer awareness and treatment accessibility, while also calling for collective action from healthcare stakeholders, government agencies and the public.
“Let us continue to unite and raise awareness about cancer, prioritise screening, early detection and equitable access to treatment for all.
“I urge all Nigerians to prioritise their health and support one another in our collective fight against this disease,” she said.
.Cancer, not a death sentence – Expert
Also, An medical expert, Dr Veronica Agana, has debunked the widespread belief that cancer is a death sentence.
She emphasised that with early detection and a healthy lifestyles, the disease can be prevented and defeated.
Agana made this known during the 2025 World Cancer Day commemoration organised by Hassy’s Haven Foundation (HHF) on Tuesday in Kaduna.
According to her, fear and misconceptions about cancer have conditioned many to believe that it inevitably leads to death.
“While cancer is indeed a serious disease, the mindset that it is a death sentence kills faster than cancer itself,” she said.
Agana stressed the importance of regular medical checkups for early detection.
She said, “Cancer often becomes visible at advanced stages when it has already spread to other organs.
“Cancer has four stages, and by the time it’s detected in stages two or three, it may already have caused significant damage.
“Regular checkups help expose the disease early before it becomes a major threat.”
Agana also lamented the high cost of cancer treatment, calling for a focus on prevention.
She advised individuals to maintain healthy diets, exercise regularly, avoid excessive sugar intake, consume fruits, and drink at least three litres of water daily to detoxify the body and boost the immune system.
Earlier in her remarks, the founder of Hassy’s Haven Foundation, Hajiya Hussaina Mohammed-Yakubu, extolled the theme for this year’s World Cancer Day: ‘United by Unique’.
According to her, it aims to foster a global movement that recognizes and understands the perspectives of those affected by cancer.
“This campaign encourages a stronger connection between healthcare providers, patients, and communities, advocating for health systems that prioritize people,” Mohammed-Yakubu said.
She added that the foundation aligned with the mission of providing assistance, hope, and strength to cancer patients, especially the underprivileged women battling the disease.
“Cancer remains a global health challenge.
“Many women face financial, emotional, and psychological barriers that hinder their access to early detection, treatment, and recovery support,” Mohammed-Yakubu said.
She stated the foundation was established in memory of the late Hassana Yakubu, a dedicated journalist who battled cancer for eight years.
Mohammed-Yakubu said her twin sister’s resilience continues to inspire the foundation’s work in championing the rights of women affected by cancer.
“Hassy’s Haven Foundation will continue to advocate policy changes and call on government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen cancer care services and ensure affordable treatment for all,” she added.
In his remarks, Bashir Rabe-Mani, the Kaduna Zonal Manager of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), commended Mohammed-Yakubu and the foundation for assisting indigent cancer patients.
He called on the government, non-governmental organidations, and wealthy individuals to step up efforts in addressing cancer prevalence.
He urged othe Nigerians to emulate the foundation’s efforts, emphasising the importance of collaborative action in reducing the burden of cancer in society.
NAN reports that the foundation was established in memory of the late Hassana Yakubu, a member of staff of the agency.
NAN also reports that the deceased was a dedicated journalist who battled cancer for eight years.
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