Minister Directs Research Institutes To Support Brain Cancer Study

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has directed key federal research institutions to channel resources toward supporting a landmark study on a potential cure for brain cancer.

Institutions tasked with this mandate include the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT).

The directive followed the discovery of a promising molecule believed to be effective against several cancers, particularly glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.

Dr. Salako issued the order during a virtual meeting with heads of the research institutes and the Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training (CAMRET), a research unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

He described the breakthrough as a pivotal step toward achieving the healthcare transformation agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“The phytomedicine sector must be prioritised in unlocking Nigeria’s healthcare value chain. A committee has already been established to bring together investors, research institutions, and stakeholders to accelerate progress in the pharmaceutical sector,” Dr. Salako stated.

The minister urged the CAMRET team to submit a formal proposal to the ministry outlining their resource needs, assuring them of the federal government’s full backing for the ongoing research. He also commended the scientists for their dedication and urged them to ensure the discovery translates into tangible benefits for Nigerians.

Presenting the findings, Dr. Amina Yusuf Jega, team lead at CAMRET, revealed that the active compound was extracted from a plant indigenous to Northwestern Nigeria.

“The extract was found to eliminate brain cancer cell lines within 48 hours at a specific dosage,” Dr. Jega disclosed.

She explained that the team successfully identified the plant’s active compounds, adding that the extract is currently being tested against breast, liver, colon, cervical, leukemia, and lung cancers—all showing encouraging results.

Dr. Jega emphasised the urgency of the research, noting that glioblastoma multiforme has a median survival rate of just 15 months due to drug resistance and limited treatment options.

The Director-General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, lauded the minister’s prompt response and pledged NICRAT’s full collaboration.

“As soon as the minister received word of the discovery, he directed us to reach out to the researchers. NICRAT is committed to supporting this initiative in every possible way,” Prof. Malami said.

NIPRD Director-General, Dr. Obi Adigwe, stated that Dr. Salako had approved the inclusion of a CAMRET representative in a federal delegation to China for a specialised two- to three-week training in early 2026.

“Stanford University will also be visiting Nigeria in February 2026 for a boot camp on translational research, and the minister has approved the participation of a CAMRET representative. This project will be treated as a national priority,” Dr. Adigwe added.

Similarly, NIMR Director-General, Prof. John Obafunwa, affirmed his institute’s readiness to collaborate, particularly in conducting clinical trials and evaluating the extract’s potential for human use.

“If this research can extend brain cancer survival rates beyond the current 12 to 15 months, it will mark a major advancement,” Prof. Obafunwa stated.