In a significant stride towards enhancing cancer care nationwide, the Federal Government of Nigeria has commissioned three state-of-the-art oncology centers.
These facilities, located at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina (Northwest), the University of
Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nsukka (Southeast), and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (South-South), mark the first phase of a broader initiative to establish ten new cancer centers across the country.
The commissioning, which took place on Thursday, at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina underscores the government’s commitment to tackling the escalating burden of cancer in Nigeria and reducing the reliance on medical tourism for specialized treatment.
Meanwhile, these projects were carried out by the Federal ministry of Health; and Federal ministry of Finance facilitated the funding for these initiative.
During the commissioning, the Honorable Minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Mr. Wale Edun, said the Oncology Centres are part of a larger mission to ensure that “quality healthcare is no longer a privilege for the few, but a fundamental right for every Nigerian.” He said.
“Investments in health, education, and infrastructure are not merely social expenditures—they are central to our growth strategy.” Mr. Edun emphasized.
“This is a smart, forward-looking investment that reflects our commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.” He added.
However these new centers complement existing oncology facilities in Lagos, Abuja, and Sokoto, forming a more robust and accessible network for cancer patients.
The three new centers are equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technology, sourced from global leaders in oncology. This expansion is projected to serve nearly 2,000 oncology patients and 350,000 diagnostic clients annually.
By providing world-class facilities domestically, the government aims to significantly curtail the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for cancer treatment, thereby saving foreign exchange and improving the overall patient experience.
Recognizing the critical role of skilled professionals, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and its health services subsidiary, Medserve, are set to train up to 500 clinicians over the next three years.
This commissioning is part of a larger national cancer strategy, approved by President Bola Tinubu in February 2024, which includes an unprecedented expansion of cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment infrastructure and equipment across six federal tertiary hospitals. The long-term vision is to have at least seven new world-class cancer centers in addition to the existing ones.
