The Federal Government has said that over 40 per cent of cancer-related deaths can be prevented, as it announced the opening of eight preventive oncology screening clinics across the country.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while unveiling two major policy documents—the National Nuclear Medicine Policy and Strategic Plan and the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) 2026–2030—at a ministerial press briefing to mark the 2026 World Cancer Day.
Salako said the policies represent a major step in strengthening cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector.
He noted that cancer remains one of the leading causes of death and disability globally, with about 20 million new cases and over 10 million deaths recorded in 2025, adding that projections show annual cases could exceed 30 million by 2050, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria.
According to him, more than 40 per cent of cancer-related deaths worldwide are linked to modifiable risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, unhealthy diets and air pollution.
“To address this, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is working with relevant agencies to reduce exposure to these risk factors, expand screening services and integrate cancer-preventive vaccines into the national immunisation programme,” the minister said.
Salako explained that the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030 provides a comprehensive framework for improving cancer risk assessment, prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and palliative care, while also strengthening research, governance and sustainable financing.
He added that the plan promotes the use of precision oncology and artificial intelligence to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment planning, research and cancer surveillance in line with global best practices.
As part of efforts to boost early detection, the minister announced that eight preventive oncology clinics are now fully operational in federal tertiary health institutions, offering routine cancer screening services to Nigerians.
The clinics are located at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja; FMC Ebute-Meta; University of Benin Teaching Hospital; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto; Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano; and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, will provide free cancer screening services nationwide throughout the month of February to promote early detection and better treatment outcomes.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, said the institute is strengthening Nigeria’s cancer response through expanded research capacity, improved population-based cancer registries and the establishment of national screening centres.
Aliyu stressed that early detection remains critical to improving cancer survival rates, noting that efforts are ongoing to shift cancer care in Nigeria from late-stage intervention to prevention and timely diagnosis.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to working with local and international partners, including the World Health Organization and other global institutions, to reduce cancer-related deaths and improve the quality of life of Nigerians living with the disease.
