FG launches new cancer control plan, nuclear medicine policy

The Federal Government has unveiled two major national policy documents aimed at strengthening cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research, as it warned that rising global cancer cases pose a serious threat to low- and middle-income countries.

Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday to mark the 2026 World Cancer Day, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the policies were part of the Tinubu administration’s drive to reduce cancer-related deaths and expand access to quality care nationwide.

Salako said, today, February 4, 2026, marks another World Cancer Day, which provides an opportunity for health leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to assess progress in addressing the menace of cancers, one of the leading causes of disability and death globally.

“While innovations have fostered enormous advances for screening, diagnosis and treatment, inequities and disparities continue to threaten progress, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like ours.”

The minister noted that Nigeria had made “significant milestones” over the past two decades in developing cancer control strategies, noting that fresh momentum had been recorded under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I am particularly happy to share with the global community the particular milestones attained under my watch as the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, in charge of cancer control in Nigeria, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Citing global data, Salako warned of an impending surge in cancer cases if urgent action was not taken. “In 2025 alone, about 20 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed globally, with over 10 million deaths.”

“It has been predicted that there may be more than 30 million new cancer diagnoses by 2050 due to a growing and ageing population.

“This calls for intentional, concerted efforts by all policymakers, researchers and stakeholders to avert an impending cancer pandemic, especially in countries like Nigeria.”

He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare was placing strong emphasis on prevention, given that a large proportion of cancers were avoidable.

“More than 40 per cent of cancer deaths globally are linked to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, ultra-processed foods, obesity and air pollution.”

“This means that nearly half of cancers could be prevented through public health interventions.”

The minister described the 2026 World Cancer Day theme, United by Unique, as “apt and timely,” stressing that it aligned with Nigeria’s approach.

“We must be united in our goals, but unique in our needs,” he said, adding that the Tinubu administration had “prioritised the health sector and particularly cancer care by making huge investments within a short time in office.”

Salako announced that the government had developed two key policy documents: the National Nuclear Medicine Policy and Strategic Plan, the first of its kind in Nigeria, and the Nigeria National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.

“Exactly one year after my last ministerial briefing, I am delighted to inform you that we have developed these two national policy documents to provide a robust mechanism for cancer prevention and control in our country.”

“They will strengthen our efforts to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and increase investment in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research.”

According to him, the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030 would guide federal and state governments, development partners, civil society groups and other stakeholders.

“The primary objective of the plan is to improve cancer risk assessment, prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis, treatment, research, survivorship and end-of-life care services across the country,” Salako said.

He added that the plan aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the National Health Act 2014, the World Health Organisation cancer strategies and global initiatives on childhood and breast cancer.

“These documents from today become the roadmap for all stakeholders, federal tertiary health institutions, research institutes, parastatals and agencies of government to implement for effective cancer control and prevention in Nigeria,” he said.

On regional collaboration, Salako disclosed that Nigeria was working with other African countries to strengthen oncology systems.

“In the spirit of ‘United in Our Goals’ and health Pan-Africanism, Nigeria is working with Egypt and Kenya to establish the African Oncology Collaborative Network.”

“This platform will strengthen oncology systems across Africa through collaboration, knowledge exchange and scalable innovations. It will be publicly unveiled before the end of the third quarter of 2026.”

The minister also highlighted progress in prevention, screening and infrastructure, commending agencies involved in vaccination against cervical and liver cancers.

“The campaign against cervical cancer through HPV vaccination and hepatitis immunisation for the prevention of liver cancer is laudable,” he said.

He praised the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment for expanding screening services. “I am particularly impressed with the provision of screening services in eight federal tertiary health institutions across the country. Mammogram machines had been provided to hospitals in Abuja, Lagos, Benin, Enugu, Sokoto, Gombe, Kano and Ile-Ife.

“This means that Nigerians can now routinely undertake breast cancer screening services in these hospitals and not wait for ad hoc screening activities,” he said.

Salako also announced free cancer screening programmes across the country throughout February.

“The screening programme commenced at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, and will be officially flagged off on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Abeokuta.”

“It will also continue in Abakaliki and Jos. The plan is to screen a minimum of 1,000 Nigerians per region.”

He acknowledged the role of international partners, including the World Health Organisation, Mayo Clinic, the American Cancer Society and several academic institutions in the United States.

“These collaborations are instrumental in strengthening our clinical trials capability, patient navigation, research and implementation of the national cancer control plan,” he said.

At the briefing, Salako formally unveiled the National Nuclear Medicine Policy and Strategic Plan and the Nigeria National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, and declared eight preventive oncology clinics operational nationwide.

Calling on Nigerians to embrace preventive care, the minister said, “Prevention is not only better, but it is cheaper; it is everything. Nigeria will continue to prioritise cancer prevention to reduce the burden and suffering from cancer in our country,” he added.

Also, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Professor Abidemi Omonisi in a press statement, said the theme of this year’s World Cancer Day, “United by Unique,” underscores the need to place people, not just statistics, at the centre of cancer care, noting that every diagnosis carries a deeply personal story of fear, resilience and hope.

He described cancer as more than a medical condition, stressing that it affects families, livelihoods and entire communities.

He acknowledged progress made in Nigeria’s cancer response, including improved awareness, the expansion of cancer registries, the establishment of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, and the implementation of a National Cancer Plan.

He, however, warned that these gains have not translated into equitable outcomes, as many patients still present late, face high out-of-pocket costs and contend with limited access to diagnostic and oncology services.

The NCS president also drew attention to the impact of insecurity and displacement on cancer care, particularly in the northern part of the country, where millions of Nigerians have been forced into internally displaced persons camps.

He said most cancer interventions remain concentrated in state capitals and urban centres, leaving rural communities and displaced populations underserved and, in many cases, completely forgotten.

According to him, the Nigerian Cancer Society is addressing this gap through free cancer screening programmes in rural communities, among underprivileged Nigerians and in IDP camps, while mobilising funds to procure and deploy mobile cancer screening and treatment vans across the six geopolitical zones.

He said the initiative is designed to promote early detection and improve access to care for populations that are most vulnerable to late diagnosis.

Omonisi urged government at all levels, policymakers, health professionals, researchers, civil society organisations and the private sector to strengthen collaboration, noting that no single sector can tackle the cancer burden alone.

He added that investment in cancer control should be seen not as a cost but as a commitment to life, productivity and national development.

As Nigeria marks the 2026 World Cancer Day, he said the country must move beyond awareness to action, equity and measurable impact, expressing hope for a future where a cancer diagnosis is no longer a death sentence and where access to quality care does not depend on location or income.