Nigeria has taken a leading role in Africa’s battle against colorectal cancer with the launch of the continent’s first Innovative Cancer Medicines (ICM) Demonstration Project, aimed at expanding access to advanced cancer treatments.
The initiative, unveiled at the National Hospital, Abuja, represents a strategic effort by the federal government to combat the country’s fast-rising colorectal cancer rates, now the second most common cancer among men and the fourth overall in Nigeria, responsible for an estimated 5,900 deaths each year.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, said Nigeria’s participation signals a new era in the country’s health system. one that prioritises innovation, affordability, and inclusion.
“This project shows that Nigerian patients no longer have to wait years to access life-saving medical breakthroughs available in other parts of the world.
It reflects our determination under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to transform cancer prevention, care, and research,” he said.
The ICM Demonstration Project is being implemented through a consortium of global partners, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Roche. The programme introduces Nivolumab, a proven immunotherapy drug that boosts the body’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells.
Nigeria’s enrollment of its first patient in the programme marks a historic first for African oncology research. According to Salako, the project is more than a scientific study; it is evidence that advanced cancer care can be delivered sustainably within local health systems. Data from the project will also inform future cancer control strategies nationwide.
He emphasised that the effort aligns with Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan and the Renewed Hope Health Agenda, which prioritise early detection, accessible diagnostics, and equitable access to advanced treatment.
The government, he added, has already completed six regional cancer centres of excellence, with three commissioned and operational, and has proposed the highest-ever national budget allocation for cancer infrastructure in 2025.
Beyond curative efforts, Salako highlighted prevention and lifestyle interventions, including expanded screening programs, vaccine-preventable cancer immunization, and nationwide awareness campaigns.
At the event, the project’s Principal Investigator, Prof. Abubakar Bello,
underscored Nigeria’s growing research capacity. “This study is not a clinical trial of an untested medicine. Nivolumab has already transformed outcomes globally. We are proving that Nigerian patients can also benefit—safely and effectively,” he said.
Bello revealed that the programme, first conceived in 2019, was originally intended for four African nations but will now run exclusively in Nigeria after years of regulatory groundwork. He added that Nigeria now has in-country capacity for microsatellite instability (MSI) testing, a key genetic marker that predicts patient response to immunotherapy.
Preliminary findings show that 43 per cent of Nigerian colorectal cancer patients exhibit MSI-high markers, indicating strong responsiveness to immunotherapy treatments. Through the project, 30 patients will receive free diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring for 18 months, with medicines and diagnostics worth ₦7 billion donated by partners, one of the largest contributions to cancer care in Nigeria’s history.
Representatives of global partners hailed Nigeria’s leadership in pioneering access to immunotherapy in Africa.
Dr. Kevin Marks of the Parker Institute described it as “a model for global health equity,” while Ms. Natania Candelario of Bristol Myers Squibb said it demonstrates Nigeria’s readiness to deliver world-class oncology care.
Dr. Funke Fashawe of CHAI added that the project is the culmination of five years of collaboration aimed at ensuring safe, effective cancer treatment for Nigerians.
