The federal government is set to commission three state-of-the-art cancer centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Edo as part of what is being described as the most ambitious investment in cancer care in Nigeria’s history. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, announced the development via a post on X, highlighting the centres as a major milestone under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The initiative marks the largest effort ever undertaken by a Nigerian government to improve oncology services and diagnostic capacity.
According to Pate, the cancer centres—located at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital—will serve approximately 2,000 oncology patients and 350,000 diagnostic clients annually. The project will also train up to 500 clinicians over the next three years, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals.
In addition to providing advanced cancer treatment, the initiative includes financial relief for underprivileged patients, with eligible individuals receiving up to ₦400,000 in subsidies for radiotherapy. The National Health Insurance Authority has also introduced a targeted cost-sharing scheme to make treatment more accessible.
Pate revealed that select personnel from the three institutions are currently undergoing clinical and technical training in South Africa to ensure smooth operations of the centres once commissioned. The cancer centres are scheduled for formal launch on May 29, with President Tinubu expected to preside over the commissioning.
Framing the initiative within the broader context of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Pate emphasized that the government is determined to eliminate the longstanding obstacles to quality cancer care in Nigeria. He described the centres as the foundation of what will become West Africa’s largest oncology and diagnostic network, ushering in a new era of specialized healthcare delivery across the country.
