Follow Us on Google
…flags off National Cancer Awareness Screening Programme in Ogun
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Determined to ensure early detection and reduction in cancer-related deaths in the country, the Federal Government has disclosed that no fewer than 6,000 Nigerians will be screened for the disease.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, gave this disclosure on Saturday, in an interview with journalists, shortly after he flagged off the National Cancer Awareness Screening Programme at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
According to Salako, 1,000 persons are targeted to be screened in each of the six geopolitical zones, making the total 6,000 nationwide.
The Minister explained that the initiative is specifically designed for asymptomatic individuals – persons who have not previously been diagnosed with cancer – emphasising that early detection remains the most effective and cost-efficient strategy for cancer control.
“This screening exercise is not for people already diagnosed with cancer. It is targeted at apparently healthy Nigerians, to detect cancer early and ensure prompt treatment where necessary,” the minister pointed out.
He added that the programme will focus on breast and cervical cancer for women, and prostate cancer for men, which he described as the most prevalent cancers within Nigeria’s epidemiological environment.
He, however, said that the Ogun State flag-off will serve as a model for implementation across the country.
Salako expressed concern over Nigeria’s high cancer mortality rates, particularly for preventable and treatable cancers.
“Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally, with a mortality rate of about 28% but Nigeria’s figures are far higher. Cervical cancer, which is highly preventable and curable, still accounts for about 25 percent of cancer deaths globally, yet Nigerian women continue to die needlessly from it. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Africa,” he said.
He also pointed out that childhood cancers also show stark survival disparities between low- and middle-income countries and high-income countries, largely due to inconsistent access to quality treatment.
The Minister explained further that the screening programme aligns with the Federal Government’s strategic emphasis on prevention, covering primary, secondary and tertiary levels of cancer control.
He stated that his Ministry is addressing environmental and social determinants of cancer, including pollution control and vaccination.
“We are introducing vaccines such as HPV and Hepatitis B as permanent prevention strategies against cervical and liver cancers. By the end of 2025, close to 50 million girls aged 9–14 years would have received the HPV vaccine across Nigeria,” he stated.
He added that the free screening services at FMC Abeokuta would run through the rest of February, with specialist support from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, assuring beneficiaries of quality care and prompt treatment for positive cases.
Salako further revealed that the Federal Ministry of Health is working towards the rollout of a National Cancer Screening Programme, beginning with a pilot phase that will integrate basic cancer screening services into Primary Health Care (PHC) centres across the country.
“This pilot is expected to be implemented before the end of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first term,” he stressed.
Other News
While speaking on infrastructure development, the minister disclosed the FG’s plans to establish cancer centres of excellence nationwide, with FMC Abeokuta designated as one of the proposed centres, to be completed within the first tenure of President Tinubu.
“As a son of the soil and supervising minister of this institution, I will do everything necessary to ensure that FMC Abeokuta occupies its rightful position in infrastructure development and quality healthcare service delivery, not only for Ogun State but for Nigerians at large,” he added
Salako rged Nigerians to take advantage of the screening programme and embrace personal responsibility for their health, stressing that “while the government is strengthening preventive and treatment measures, individual action remains critical in the fight against cancer”.
In his remarks, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister for Health and Honourable Minister of State for Health, for bringing the critical national intervention to Abeokuta.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, Governor Abiodun posited that “this programme is not just timely – it is lifesaving”.
“Cancer is no longer a rare disease in our country. Current national estimates show that Nigeria records well over 120,000 new cancer cases each year, with nearly 80,000 deaths annually. These are not just numbers. They represent mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and breadwinners in our communities”, he added.
The governor noted further that evidence from the region shows that when screening programmes are expanded, more cases are detected early, especially cervical and breast cancers, noting “early detection gives people a fighting chance; that is why today’s intervention matters”.
“By providing free screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancers, this initiative removes one of the biggest barriers to care – cost. It also brings awareness closer to the people and encourages individuals who might otherwise delay to take action.”
“As a state, we recognize the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including cancer. Across Ogun State, under the visionary leadership of his Excellency, we have continued to strengthen awareness on early detection through our primary healthcare system, maternal and reproductive health services, and community outreach. We are promoting regular breast examinations, expanding cervical cancer awareness, and encouraging men to take prostate health seriously”, he submitted.
Earlier in her remarks, the Medical Director of the FMC, Dr Titilola Ibiyemi hailed the Minister for his passionate advocate for quality, accessible, and people-centred healthcare in Nigeria.
She said that the screening and awareness initiative undescore the unwavering commitment of federal government to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly cancer, through prevention, early detection, and timely intervention.
” We are especially grateful that you deemed it fit and proper to kick-start this very important nationwide programme here at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, ahead of its rollout across the other five geopolitical zones of our dear country.”
“This singular gesture is not only a recognition of the strategic importance of this Centre, but also a clear demonstration of your confidence in our capacity to deliver quality healthcare services to Nigerians”, she stated
She corroborated that cancer remains a major public health challenge globally and in Nigeria.
“Breast, cervical, and prostate cancers in particular account for a significant proportion of cancer-related morbidity and mortality, largely due to late presentation”.
“This screening programme is therefore timely, life-saving, and highly commendable”, the FMC Medical Director stated.
