Tinubu’s Approval Of N302bn Institute Will Transform Nigeria’s Cancer Care — DG

The director-general of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the construction of a flagship National Cancer Institute estimated to cost N302.3 billion.

The approval, which covers the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and commissioning of the facility, was announced by the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, at last Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

In a statement issued by the head of Media and Public Relations, NICRAT, Hassan Zaggi, the DG said the institute was expected to be completed within 36 months and would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for cancer treatment, research, innovation and training.

Aliyu described the approval as a demonstration of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of Nigerians, noting that the project would position Nigeria as a major centre for advanced cancer care and research in Africa.

“This project will no doubt make Nigeria the centre of attraction in terms of sophisticated cancer care and research in Africa and the world at large,” he said.

He added that the facility would provide world-class cancer services while strengthening research, innovation, capacity building and the development of specialised oncology services.

The NICRAT boss also cited the recent upgrading of cancer centres in Katsina, Benin and Enugu, which he said further demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving cancer care in the country.

He recalled that cancer had remained a major health challenge in Nigeria over the years, partly due to inadequate access to early diagnosis, treatment and research facilities.

“Over the years, cancer has remained a nightmare to most Nigerians as successive governments could not demonstrate capacity to address issues around the dearth of cancer diagnosis, treatment and research in the country,” he said.

Prof. Malami noted that the establishment of NICRAT three years ago had strengthened Nigeria’s response to cancer, but said the new National Cancer Institute would further enhance the country’s visibility and capacity in cancer care and research.

Describing the project as a “game changer”, he said one of its major benefits would be a reduction in medical tourism, as Nigerians seeking advanced cancer treatment would have access to sophisticated services within the country.

He also said the facility could position Nigeria as a destination for cancer treatment and research for patients from other African countries, potentially generating additional foreign exchange for the country.

According to him, the state-of-the-art institute would also accelerate cancer research and innovation by providing oncology experts and researchers with access to advanced equipment and a conducive environment for scientific work.

He further explained that the institute would serve as a regional hub for the training and retraining of oncology experts and researchers, while helping to develop highly skilled cancer care professionals.

Prof. Malami said the centre would also support evidence-based policymaking, promote technology-driven cancer care and foster collaboration between Nigerian institutions and leading cancer research and treatment centres across Africa and the world.

He said the approval would lay the foundation for a stronger and more responsive healthcare system capable of addressing the evolving health needs of Nigeria’s growing population.

The NICRAT DG also commended Prof. Pate for his strategic leadership and commitment to transforming the health sector, while praising the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, for his advocacy and support for the project.

He equally acknowledged the contributions of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, towards advancing the initiative.

Prof. Malami assured that NICRAT would continue to work with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, state governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and other stakeholders to build a coordinated national cancer-control system.

He said the institute’s management and staff were committed to ensuring that the project delivered on the health objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.