The federal government has unveiled an expanded funding framework and intensified local drug production efforts to strengthen cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment while easing the financial burden on patients.
Prof. Usman Aliyu, Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), disclosed the measures on Saturday in Abuja at the Best of ASCO Africa 2026 conference, organised in partnership with the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC).
Mr Aliyu said the government had introduced multiple initiatives to make cancer care more affordable, acknowledging that treatment remained out of reach for many Nigerians. Among these is the Catastrophic Health Fund, operated under the National Health Insurance Authority, which subsidises prevention, diagnosis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for eligible patients. NICRAT also runs the National Cancer Health Fund to support indigent patients unable to afford treatment.
“These are deliberate government interventions to support Nigerians suffering from this dreadful disease,” he stated.
The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, he added, would promote domestic production of cancer medicines and improve access to affordable therapies. “We are trying to domesticate expensive treatments by producing much-needed medicines locally and translating global research into action in our clinics,” Mr Aliyu explained.
Experts at the conference reviewed landmark studies from the ASCO annual meeting, with a view to adapting proven innovations to African health systems.
Lolade Adewale, Special Adviser on Research and Innovation to the Minister of State for Health, said the government was expanding financial protection through targeted insurance schemes, including the Cancer Health Fund and the Social Determinants of Health Fund. “Within the next year, you will hear more about it,” she said, referencing efforts to strengthen coverage.
Ms Adewale also disclosed that Nigeria had commenced three immunotherapy clinical studies for the first time, granting patients access to advanced medicines such as Nivolumab and Keytruda through trials at no cost. The development significantly reduces the need for Nigerians to seek treatment abroad.
Dr Miriam Mutebi, immediate past president of AORTIC, noted that Africa accounts for only about eight per cent of global cancer research, with output remaining insufficient for cervical and prostate cancers despite their high burden. She urged African governments to honour their commitment to allocate one per cent of Gross Domestic Product to research and development, arguing that stronger domestic investment would generate evidence to improve diagnosis, treatment completion and health systems.
ASCO Chief Medical Officer Dr Julie Gralow observed that many breakthrough therapies had not been adequately tested among African populations. She said the conference would help determine how global evidence could be adapted to African settings while addressing affordability and access. Dr Gralow also announced that the ASCO-AORTIC partnership would open the second round of the Sub-Saharan Africa Clinical Research Scholars Programme in October.
AORTIC Vice-President for North America, Dr Abiola Ibraheem, described the initiative as a bridge between cancer care in high-income countries and Africa. She urged African nations to adopt a continental approach to access innovative therapies collectively. “The therapies and technologies available in the United States are very different from what is accessible in Nigeria. This initiative is about closing that gap. There is power in numbers – the goal is for African countries to access these therapies together as one continent rather than individually,” she said.
Participation has grown significantly since the inaugural conference in Ethiopia, attracting more countries, sponsors and stakeholders committed to advancing cancer care across Africa.
The conference brought together oncologists, researchers, policymakers and development partners from across the continent and beyond to review major scientific advances and explore their application within African health systems.
(NAN)
