World Cancer Day: FG Rolls Out New Policies to Tackle Rising Cancer Burden
The Federal Government has unveiled two major national policy documents aimed at strengthening cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment across Nigeria, as part of renewed efforts to reduce the country’s growing cancer burden.
The policies—the National Nuclear Medicine Policy and Strategic Plan and the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) 2026–2030—were unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja by the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, during a ministerial press briefing held to commemorate the 2026 World Cancer Day, observed globally on February 4 with the theme “United by Unique.”
Dr. Salako described the launch of the two documents as a significant 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.
He said the Tinubu administration has prioritised healthcare, particularly cancer care, through unprecedented investments within a short period in office, aimed at improving access, quality and outcomes.
The Minister noted that cancer remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, with an estimated 20 million new cases and more than 10 million deaths recorded globally in 2025. He added that projections indicate annual cancer cases could rise to over 30 million by 2050, with low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, expected to bear a disproportionate share of the burden.
According to him, the Federal Government is placing greater emphasis on cancer prevention, given that over 40 per cent of cancer-related deaths globally are linked to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, obesity, unhealthy diets and air pollution.
“To address this challenge, the Ministry is working with relevant agencies to reduce exposure to these risk factors, expand screening services and integrate cancer-preventive vaccines into the national immunisation programme,” Dr. Salako 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 adoption of precision oncology and artificial intelligence to enhance cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment planning, research and surveillance, in line with global best practices.
As part of efforts to expand access to 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 the month of February, with programmes planned across the six geopolitical zones to promote early detection and improved treatment outcomes.
Speaking at the event, the Director and Head of the Hospital Services Department of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Abisola Adegoke, represented by the Director of Teaching Hospital Services, Dr. Okpikpi, said World Cancer Day provides an opportunity for stakeholders to raise awareness on the importance of early detection and prompt treatment.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NICRAT, Professor 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.
He emphasised that early detection remains critical to improving cancer survival rates in Nigeria, adding that efforts are ongoing to shift 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.
