The Federal Government has approved the purchase of 35 additional linear accelerators to expand access to radiotherapy and improve cancer treatment across Nigeria.
The equipment is expected to be procured between 2027 and 2029 as part of efforts to strengthen cancer care under the National Cancer Control Plan 2026 to 2030.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Global Advisory Council of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group.
Salako said the government was also working on six cancer centres across the country, with three already completed and the remaining three under construction.
He said the Federal Government was placing greater emphasis on cancer prevention and early detection, including expanded screening and routine HPV vaccination to reduce cervical cancer cases.
The minister also launched the Blood Cancer Consortium, aimed at bringing together experts and stakeholders to strengthen the management of blood cancers in Nigeria.
Chairman of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group, Prof. Folakemi Odedina, said the group was working to strengthen cancer research and develop a more effective national framework for oncology clinical trials.
The meeting ended with the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group and the Global Advisory Council.
The government said the collaboration would support the implementation of Nigeria’s cancer control plan and improve treatment outcomes for people living with cancer.
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