President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators between 2027 and 2029, as part of the Government of Nigeria’s efforts to expand access to radiotherapy and strengthen cancer treatment capacity across the country.
According to a press release signed by Ado Bako Assistant Director, Information and Public RelationsThe Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this when he received members of the Global Advisory Council of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group in Abuja.
Salako said the investment formed part of the Government of Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen cancer prevention, early detection and treatment under the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, with partnerships and international expertise supporting implementation of the national agenda. He said the government was also expanding cancer treatment infrastructure, noting that six cancer centres are being developed across the country, with three completed and the remaining three under construction.
The Minister said the Federal Government had continued to place particular emphasis on cancer prevention, citing the President’s approval of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination as part of routine immunisation as a major step towards preventing cervical cancer. He added that 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, while also establishing a Cervical Cancer Elimination Council.
“Prevention is better and cheaper than cure. We are doing everything possible to expand routine immunisation, broaden screening and improve early detection,” he said.
Salako commended members of the Global Advisory Council and the Technical Working Group for bringing expertise, experience, networks and resources to support Nigeria’s cancer control agenda, and called for wider international partnerships to accelerate progress towards improved cancer outcomes.
The Minister also formally inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium, describing it as an important platform for advancing collaboration, knowledge and improved outcomes in the management of blood cancers.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. mni, welcomed the delegation and expressed hope that the engagement would contribute to improved cancer outcomes for Nigerians.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group, Professor Folakemi Odedina, said the initiative had brought together Nigerian experts at home and in the diaspora, government, academia, healthcare providers, patients, advocates, industry and international partners around a common national vision for cancer control.
She disclosed that the Technical Working Group had become operational and was working to strengthen cancer research and develop a stronger national oncology clinical trials ecosystem, while 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.
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