The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) says that it is focused on enhancing institutional capacity for cancer research and implementation in Nigeria as part of steps to boost efficient cancer care.
NICRAT’s Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Nwamaka Lasebikan, speaking at the opening of a five-day intensive workshop to strengthen institutional capacity for cancer research and implementation (SINCCAR) across South-West Nigeria, said it is to close gaps in Nigeria’s cancer research ecosystem and empower institutions to conduct transformative research with real-world health outcomes.
Dr Lasebikan stated the SINCCAR project is designed to address the specific institutional gaps identified in an earlier assessment of 14 institutions in Nigeria while building capacity for researchers across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and providing grants to support the implementation of cancer research projects.
“Cancer research in Nigeria is not where it should be; there are lots of gaps and lots of work being done that is not immediately relevant to our needs. Lots of work is done in silos; their impacts are not felt. The cancer research ecosystem in Nigeria is still very rudimentary, but there’s room for improvement.
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“There’s a hunger to engage in research, and so this is just the catalyst to slowly but surely change the narrative.”
According to her, NICRAT is also critically assessing the clinical trial infrastructure in institutions across the country to support clinical trials.
“We already know from some assessment that we’ve done some things, but we want to take a holistic approach to it. And if there needs to be capacity development, we will do it,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Professor Olusegun Alatise, NICRAT’s South-West Coordinator, reiterated the importance of homegrown expertise and commitment.
“We have made up our minds to stay here and fix what needs fixing,” he said. “We must raise a new generation of researchers who share this vision and can drive improvements in cancer care quality across the country.”
With over 220 million people, Nigeria bears the largest population in Africa, and the toll of non-communicable diseases — particularly cancer — is growing.
According to the 2022 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Nigeria records nearly 128,000 new cancer cases annually, a figure that experts say may rise without urgent, coordinated responses.
Among Nigerian men, prostate, colorectal, and liver cancers top the list. For women, breast cancer remains the most common, with an estimated 32,200 new cases and over 16,300 deaths per year. Cervical cancer follows closely, claiming thousands of lives despite being largely preventable.
Established under the NICRAT Establishment Act of 2017, the Institute plays a pivotal role in leading national efforts in cancer prevention, treatment, and research. It also coordinates with healthcare providers and scientific institutions to foster innovation and improve outcomes.
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