FG to unveil three cancer centres May 29

The Federal Government will on May 29, 2025, unveil three new cancer centres on May 29, 2025, in the first phase of ten new cancer centres nationwide.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammadu Pate said this in a broadcast message on Saturday on X titled, “CM Pate unveils three brand new cancer centres set for May 29 commissioning in first phase of ten new cancer centres nationwide.”

Pate emphasised that the launch of the cancer care is the largest investment in cancer care in its history and West Africa, in collaboration with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority.

According to him, the cancer care entails the largest chain of oncology and diagnostic centres in West Africa with the capacity to train up to 500 clinicians over a three-year period while serving nearly 2,000 oncology and 350,000 diagnostic clients annually.

Over the next few weeks, newly constructed cancer centers at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina; the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nsukka; and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital will be commissioned by Mr. President (President Bola Tinubu), and opened to the public.

“While key staff of the institutions are presently being trained in South Africa ahead of full institutional operationalization, I am delighted to inform you that the National Health Insurance Authority has launched a cost-sharing initiative to improve access to cancer care by subsidizing up to N400,000 for eligible disadvantaged patients undergoing radiotherapy, and by extension, helping to reduce the financial burden of treatment.

“Under the compassionate leadership of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and in conformity with his Renewed Hope Agenda, we are removing both supply and demand obstacles to affordable and qualitative cancer care in Nigeria,” he stated.

The Minister noted that the President is dealing decisively with the huge burden of care in the country.

In February 2024, Mr. President approved an unprecedented expansion of cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment infrastructure and equipment at six federal tertiary hospitals all over Nigeria,” he highlighted.

He added that Nigerians will have at least seven new world-class cancer centres added to what the country already has at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, the National Hospital in Abuja, and the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

He said beyond providing essential care to Nigerians, these facilities will position Nigeria as a healthcare hub within West Africa and Africa, reversing the trend of outbound medical tourism.

He noted that upon completion of this phase, the NSIA will operate one of the largest chains of oncology and diagnostic centres in West Africa, or even the continent of Africa, with the capacity to train up to 500 clinicians over a three-year period.

“While these new cancer centres will go a long way in addressing the accessibility challenge, Mr. President is also concerned about the affordability of cancer treatment for our population. To this end, we are working to improve the affordability, especially for the poorer and disadvantaged families who often suffer from the double burden of cancer-related illnesses and the hefty costs associated with treatment.

“The National Health Insurance Authority,  has already designed a catastrophic health insurance fund, which has been provided in the service-wide vote of the 2025 federal budget, an amount of N20bn which, when the funds are cash-backed by the treasury, will help to reduce the financial burden of treatment for catastrophic illnesses like cancer, kidney diseases and also spinal injuries.

For cancers, this comes at a time when our administration is focused on increasing the number of accredited radiotherapy centers, strengthening collaboration with local pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies, and ensuring that moderated therapy technology is available nationwide to all Nigerians who unfortunately require it.

“This is the change that our people voted for in 2023, and this is the tangible outcome of the collective decision our nation took in electing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our president. Our hope shall be renewed in the health sector and across the many sectors of our national life,” he concluded.