FG to procure 25 new cancer treatment machines by 2029

The Federal Government has announced plans to procure 25 additional linear accelerators between 2027 and 2029 as part of efforts to expand cancer treatment capacity and improve cancer care in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) Technical Working Group and Global Advisory Council meeting.

Salako said the procurement plan was approved by President Bola Tinubu and formed part of a broader strategy under the NCCP 2026–2030 framework.

“Recently, President Bola Tinubu approved that between 2027 and 2029, the country should procure an additional 25 linear accelerators. We are executing a three-year plan to achieve this,” he said.

He said the government’s cancer-control strategy would focus on prevention, early detection, treatment, research and partnerships.

According to the minister, Nigeria continued to face a significant cancer burden, largely due to late presentation of patients and inadequate infrastructure, skilled manpower and funding.

He said the government was also prioritising prevention through vaccination and screening, noting that the President had approved the inclusion of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in the routine immunisation programme.

Salako added that efforts were underway to improve hepatitis vaccination, expand cervical cancer screening and integrate screening services into primary healthcare centres nationwide.

“Prevention is better and cheaper than cure,” he said.

The minister also disclosed that construction of six Cancer Centres of Excellence had commenced, with three already completed and work ongoing on the remaining three.

He further inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium following the provision of equipment and other resources to strengthen pathology laboratories across the country.

The President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, commended the government for adopting a coordinated approach to cancer prevention and treatment.

Omonisi said fragmented interventions by stakeholders had previously led to duplication of efforts and reduced impact, adding that the NCCP Technical Working Group was bringing government agencies, researchers, clinicians, development partners and cancer organisations together under a common agenda.

He also called for stronger international partnerships and diaspora engagement to promote research, technology transfer, capacity building and access to advanced cancer services.

Earlier, the Chair of the NCCP Technical Working Group, Prof. Folakemi Odedina, said the group had moved from planning to implementation.

Odedina said the initiative had brought together government institutions, academics, patients, survivors, advocates, industry stakeholders and international partners to pursue a unified cancer-control agenda.

She said progress was being made in prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship, palliative care, research, clinical trials, workforce development and digital health.

According to her, the Global Advisory Council was supporting Nigeria with expertise in cancer prevention and treatment, genomics, implementation science, workforce development, data management and artificial intelligence.

She added that efforts were ongoing to strengthen oncology clinical trials and improve access to innovative cancer treatments.

Odedina, however, noted that treatment access alone would not guarantee better outcomes without addressing patients’ needs for transportation, nutrition and accommodation during treatment.

Prof. Taofeek Owonikoko, Global Advisory Council Director at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Centre, said the initiative would strengthen collaboration among international cancer institutions and ensure that external interventions aligned with Nigeria’s priorities.

He described the goal of a cancer-free Nigeria by 2030 as a long-term aspiration that would require sustained investment in healthcare systems, technology and strategic interventions.

Dr Lewis Roberts of Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Centre called for greater attention to liver, pancreatic and biliary tract cancers across Africa.

Roberts said liver cancer remained a major cause of cancer deaths on the continent, urging stronger screening programmes, improved detection and treatment of viral hepatitis, as well as wider vaccination coverage.

The meeting reviewed progress under the NCCP and examined strategies for improving coordinated action on cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, research and survivorship care in Nigeria.