The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun constructing six specialised cancer centres across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. The goal: to stop cancer in its tracks—before it’s too late.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaq Salako, revealed this in Abeokuta during the launch of the OncoSeek Cancer Screening Test.
The workshop also served as a platform to unveil Nigeria’s new National Nuclear Medicine Guidelines and Policy.
“We are implementing programmes cutting across prevention, treatment and control,” Salako said. “This includes the ongoing construction of six cancer centres of excellence across the six geopolitical zones.”
New Hope for Cancer Patients in 2025 Budget
Dr. Salako announced that the second phase of Nigeria’s cancer treatment programme would commence under the 2025 budget.
He disclosed that FMC Abeokuta has been selected to benefit from this new phase of infrastructure rollout.
“I am happy to announce that in this second phase, FMC Abeokuta has been selected to be a recipient,” he said.
Three of the six centres, he confirmed, are already near completion. Funds have been secured to continue the work in the coming year.
Late Detection Still a Major Problem
The Minister acknowledged that cancer continues to rise across Nigeria and remains a serious health threat.
“The burden of cancer in Nigeria is increasing. It requires the deployment of all solutions and management possibilities,” he said.
A key challenge in cancer care, he said, is late detection—often because symptoms mimic other common illnesses.
“A lot of cancers present with signs and symptoms that mimic other diseases and may go undetected,” he noted.
OncoSeek Offers New Screening Advantage
At the event, Salako introduced the OncoSeek test—a new tool in Nigeria’s cancer prevention arsenal.
“OncoSeek, a blood-based test that can detect high-mortality cancers early—even at precancerous stages—is a welcome development,” he said.
The test targets nine of the deadliest forms of cancer: breast, colon, liver, stomach, pancreatic, esophageal, lung, ovarian and lymphoma.
“Screening services that detect cancers early are an important mechanism in prevention and control,” he said.
He added that OncoSeek would help doctors decide which patients require more advanced testing.
Nuclear Medicine to Be Integrated Into Cancer Treatment
The government is also investing in nuclear medicine as part of its long-term cancer treatment strategy.
Salako said a Technical Working Group on Nuclear Medicine Guidelines and Policy had already been established in February.
“I want to assure the team that their recommendations will be implemented in their entirety,” he promised.
This move is expected to make treatment more targeted and improve survival outcomes for patients across Nigeria.
A Dedicated Cancer Agency Is Now Active
To coordinate all efforts, Salako confirmed the creation of a new body—the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment.
This agency is now solely responsible for managing research and delivering cutting-edge treatment options for Nigerian cancer patients.
With the launch of OncoSeek and the rollout of cancer excellence centres, Nigeria’s war against cancer is entering a new phase—one built on early detection, science, and access to better care.
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