Cancer is no longer a distant or rare health issue in Nigeria; it has become an escalating public health crisis. Each year, more than 127,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer, and tragically, approximately 80,000 lives are lost to the disease. These figures highlight a national emergency that demands urgent and coordinated action.
Although several initiatives have been introduced to combat the rising burden of cancer — including the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan for 2023 to 2027 — the challenges remain overwhelming. Support from international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has brought some improvements, but significant barriers to effective cancer care persist.
Nigeria’s population out weighs healthcare
Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure is grossly inadequate to meet the growing needs of cancer patients. With a population exceeding 200 million, the country has only seven operational radiotherapy centers — far too few to provide adequate treatment coverage.
Additionally, there is a critical shortage of specialized medical personnel, including oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists, as well as a severe lack of essential diagnostic tools and treatment equipment. This deficit significantly hampers early detection, timely intervention, and quality care for patients.
Even the financial support mechanisms that exist fall drastically short of what is required. The Cancer Health Fund, which was established to alleviate the cost of treatment for patients who cannot afford it, has extremely limited reach. In 2025, it is projected to cover treatment for only 22 adult patients — a shockingly small number compared to the vast population in need.
This limited scope is akin to offering a drop of water in a burning forest. Consequently, the vast majority of patients are forced to bear the heavy financial burden of cancer care on their own, leading many to forego treatment altogether or seek help only at advanced stages, when outcomes are often poor.
