The Federal Government of Nigeria is building six Cancer Excellence Centres across the country’s six geopolitical zones for early detection, treatment, and management of cancer cases.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaq Salako, announced this initiative while launching the OncoSeek Cancer Screening test in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital ¹
Six Cancer Excellence Centres are being built across the six geopolitical zones.Three of the centres are nearing completion.
The 2025 budget includes funds for establishing more Cancer Excellence Centres.
The Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba Abeokuta, has been selected to receive a cancer centre of excellence under the 2025 budget.
Nigeria records over 120,000 new cancer cases every year.
Late detection and presentation are significant challenges in cancer care, emphasizing the need for screening services that can detect cancers early or at the precancerous stage.
NICRAT was established under the NICRAT Establishment Act 2017 to provide national leadership in cancer research, treatment, and control.
NICRAT’s objectives include policy advisory, regulating cancer care, research and development, resource mobilization, and establishing a cancer registry.
NICRAT has trained 120 young researchers to enhance their capacity for cancer research and evidence-based implementation.
