The Federal Government has approved the procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators between 2027 and 2029 as part of efforts 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 while receiving members of the Global Advisory Council of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group.
Salako said the investment was part of the government’s broader strategy to improve cancer prevention, early detection and treatment under the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.
According to him, the planned procurement will complement ongoing efforts to expand cancer treatment infrastructure and improve access to specialised care for Nigerians diagnosed with cancer.
The minister also disclosed that six cancer centres were being developed across the country, with three already completed and the remaining three under construction.
He said the infrastructure expansion was necessary to strengthen the country’s capacity to provide timely cancer treatment and reduce challenges associated with access to specialised oncology services.
Salako said the Federal Government was placing greater emphasis on cancer prevention and early detection alongside treatment.
He identified the President’s approval of Human Papillomavirus vaccination as part of routine immunisation as a major intervention in the prevention of cervical cancer.
The minister said the government was also expanding cervical cancer screening and improving public awareness while integrating selected screening services into primary and secondary healthcare facilities.
He said the measures were intended to increase the number of women who could access screening and enable cases to be detected and managed earlier.
“Prevention is better and cheaper than cure. We are doing everything possible to expand routine immunisation, broaden screening and improve early detection,” Salako said.
He added that the government was also establishing a Cervical Cancer Elimination Council as part of efforts to coordinate interventions aimed at reducing the burden of the disease.
The minister called for stronger partnerships with international organisations, experts and institutions to accelerate the implementation of Nigeria’s cancer control agenda.
Salako commended members of the Global Advisory Council and the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group for contributing expertise, experience, professional networks and resources to the country’s cancer programme.
He said international collaboration would be important in strengthening cancer research, treatment and other aspects of oncology care.
The minister also formally inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium, describing it as a platform designed to strengthen collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the management of blood cancers.
He said the consortium would contribute to efforts to improve outcomes for patients with blood-related cancers through greater collaboration among relevant stakeholders.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, welcomed the delegation and expressed optimism that the engagement would contribute to better cancer outcomes in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group, Professor Folakemi Odedina, said the initiative had brought together stakeholders from different areas of the cancer-care ecosystem.
She said the group includes Nigerian experts at home and in the diaspora, government representatives, academics, healthcare providers, patients, advocates, industry stakeholders and international partners.
According to Odedina, the broad-based collaboration was designed to create a coordinated national response to cancer prevention, research and treatment.
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.
The group, she added, was also seeking to establish strategic partnerships between Nigerian institutions and leading cancer centres around the world.
The meeting ended with the ceremonial signing of a strategic partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group and members of the Global Advisory Council.
The partnership is expected to strengthen technical cooperation and support the implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.
The Federal Government’s latest interventions come as Nigeria seeks to expand cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment while improving the country’s capacity to provide specialised oncology services.
The planned procurement of 35 additional linear accelerators, alongside the development of six cancer centres and expanded prevention and screening programmes, represents a major component of the government’s strategy to strengthen cancer care infrastructure over the next three years.
