The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health challenge by 2030 through expanded Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, improved screening services, enhanced treatment capacity, and increased domestic investment in cancer prevention and control.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this while delivering the opening address at an international webinar titled “Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination Towards the 2030 Agenda: Myth or Reality?” organised by the Nigerian Academy of Medicine in collaboration with the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination.
Addressing scientists, policymakers, clinicians and global health experts, Salako said the Federal Government had placed cervical cancer elimination at the centre of the nation’s health agenda in line with the World Health Organization 90-70-90 targets for HPV vaccination, screening and treatment.
Describing cervical cancer as one of the most preventable yet devastating diseases affecting women, the minister noted that Nigeria records about 13,676 new cases annually, with many patients presenting at advanced stages of the disease.
“Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable yet devastating cancers affecting Nigerian women,” Salako said, adding that the government was intensifying efforts to reduce the burden of the disease nationwide.
He stated that under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and with support from the Renewed Hope Initiative championed by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria has adopted a comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategy aimed at accelerating cervical cancer elimination.
On vaccination, the minister disclosed that the nationwide single-dose HPV immunisation programme introduced in 2023 has so far reached more than 17 million girls aged between nine and 14 years.
According to him, the government’s immediate priority is to consolidate the gains recorded by expanding vaccine delivery through schools and community-based outreach programmes, particularly targeting out-of-school girls, while increasing national coverage beyond 80 per cent.
Salako acknowledged that screening and treatment remain the weakest links in Nigeria’s response to cervical cancer.
“Government is focused on expanding HPV-based screening at the primary healthcare level, strengthening referral systems for the management of precancerous lesions and cancer, and enhancing treatment capacity across the country,” he said.
He added that efforts were underway to strengthen the capacity of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment to serve as a regional hub for diagnosis and treatment in the nation’s geopolitical zones.
The minister further disclosed that the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination was coordinating nationwide interventions involving government agencies, healthcare institutions and development partners to ensure Nigeria achieves the 2030 target.
He noted that investments were also being directed towards strengthening health information systems to improve monitoring, evaluation and tracking of progress.
Salako said the programme is receiving support from development partners, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the Global Financing Facility and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
He assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would progressively increase domestic funding for cancer prevention and control to guarantee the sustainability of ongoing interventions.
The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s growing international recognition in cervical cancer control, noting that the country played a leading role in efforts that culminated in the establishment of World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day and continues to provide lessons for other countries across Africa and the Commonwealth.
Declaring the webinar open, Salako commended the organisers for creating a platform to advance dialogue on cancer prevention and urged participants to translate discussions into actionable policies and programmes.
“We must ensure that the outcomes of these deliberations are translated into concrete actions that will make cervical cancer elimination a reality for every Nigerian woman and girl,” he said.
Health experts estimate that cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Nigeria despite being largely preventable through vaccination, early screening and timely treatment.
The Federal Government’s renewed commitment is expected to accelerate efforts towards achieving the global goal of eliminating the disease as a public health threat by 2030.
