President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators between 2027 and 2029 to expand access to radiotherapy and strengthen cancer treatment capacity across Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja when he received members of the Global Advisory Council of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group.
Salako said the investment was part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen cancer prevention, early detection and treatment under the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.
He said the government was also expanding cancer treatment infrastructure, noting that six cancer centres were being developed across the country, with three already completed and the remaining three under construction.
According to him, the additional linear accelerators would expand radiotherapy capacity and improve access to cancer treatment for Nigerians.
“Prevention is better and cheaper than cure. We are doing everything possible to expand routine immunisation, broaden screening and improve early detection,” Salako said.
The minister said the government had placed particular emphasis on preventing cancers that can be reduced through vaccination and screening.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved HPV vaccination as part of routine immunisation, and this is a major step towards preventing cervical cancer,” he said.
He added that the government was “broadening cervical cancer screening, improving public awareness and integrating selected screening services into primary and secondary levels of care to strengthen early detection.”
Salako also disclosed that the government was establishing a Cervical Cancer Elimination Council.
“We are putting structures in place to ensure that prevention and early detection become central to our national cancer control response,” he said.
On the role of international partnerships, the minister said Nigeria needed sustained collaboration to accelerate progress in cancer prevention and treatment.
“We need wider international partnerships to accelerate progress towards improved cancer outcomes,” Salako said.
He commended members of the Global Advisory Council and Technical Working Group for bringing “expertise, experience, networks and resources” to support the country’s cancer control agenda.
Salako also formally inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium, describing it as an important platform for advancing collaboration and improving outcomes for patients with blood cancers.
“This consortium is an important platform for advancing collaboration, knowledge and improved outcomes in the management of blood cancers,” he said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. mni, welcomed the delegation and expressed optimism about the collaboration.
“We hope that this engagement will contribute significantly to improving cancer outcomes for Nigerians,” she said.
Chairman of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group, Professor Folakemi Odedina, said the initiative had created a platform for stakeholders to work together towards a common national goal.
“This initiative has brought together Nigerian experts at home and in the diaspora, government, academia, healthcare providers, patients, advocates, industry and international partners,” Odedina said.
She described the collaboration as being built around “a common national vision for cancer control.”
Odedina disclosed that the Technical Working Group had become operational and was working to strengthen cancer research in Nigeria.
“We are working to develop a stronger national oncology clinical trials ecosystem,” she said.
She added that the group was also fostering “strategic partnerships between Nigerian institutions and leading global cancer centres.”
The meeting concluded with the ceremonial signing of a strategic partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group and members of the Global Advisory Council.
The partnership is expected to strengthen collaboration, research and technical support for the implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030 and improve access to quality cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment services across the country.