The federal government is expanding funding, local drug production, and research to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment while easing the financial burden on patients, the Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Usman Aliyu, announced on Saturday in Abuja.
Government Initiatives to Subsidise Cancer Care
Speaking at the Best of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Africa 2026 conference, organised in collaboration with the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), Mr Aliyu said the government had introduced measures to make cancer care more affordable, although treatment remained beyond the reach of many Nigerians.
He explained that the Catastrophic Health Fund under the National Health Insurance Authority subsidises cancer prevention, diagnosis, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy for eligible patients. Additionally, NICRAT operates the National Cancer Health Fund to support indigent cancer patients unable to afford treatment. “These are initiatives by the government to support Nigerians suffering from this dreadful disease,” he said.
Presidential Initiative for Local Drug Production
Mr Aliyu highlighted the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, which aims to promote local production of cancer medicines and improve access to affordable treatment. “We are trying to domesticate expensive treatments by producing much-needed medicines locally and translating global research into action in our clinics,” he stated.
The conference, themed “From Global Discovery to Local Delivery: Driving Africa to the Cutting Edge of Cancer Care,” brought together experts to review landmark studies from the ASCO Annual Meeting and adapt proven innovations to African health systems.
Financial Protection and Insurance Expansion
Lolade Adewale, Special Adviser on Research and Innovation to the Minister of State for Health, said the government is expanding financial protection for cancer patients through targeted insurance schemes. She noted that the Cancer Health Fund and the Social Determinants of Health Fund would improve access to treatment for eligible patients. “Within the next year, you will hear more about it,” she said, referring to efforts to strengthen cancer insurance coverage.
Ms Adewale also announced that Nigeria had commenced three immunotherapy clinical studies for the first time, giving patients access to advanced medicines previously unavailable in the country. Medicines such as Nivolumab and Keytruda are now available through clinical trials at no cost to participating Nigerians, reducing the need to seek treatment abroad.
Africa’s Research Output and Investment Gaps
Immediate Past President of AORTIC, Miriam Mutebi, noted that Africa accounts for only about eight per cent of global cancer research. She said the continent’s research output remains inadequate, especially for cervical and prostate cancers, despite their high disease burden. Ms Mutebi urged African governments to fulfil their commitment to dedicate one per cent of Gross Domestic Product to research and development, stating that stronger domestic investment would generate evidence to improve diagnosis, treatment completion, patient experience, and health systems.
Adapting Global Breakthroughs for Africa
Chief Medical Officer of ASCO, Julie Gralow, said many breakthrough cancer therapies have not been adequately tested among African populations. She explained that the conference would help determine how global evidence could be adapted to African settings while addressing affordability and access. The ASCO-AORTIC partnership focuses on workforce development, clinical research, and training the next generation of African cancer researchers. According to her, the organisations will open the second round of the Sub-Saharan Africa Clinical Research Scholars Programme in October.
AORTIC Vice-President for North America, Abiola Ibraheem, said the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between cancer care available in high-income countries and Africa. She urged African countries to work collectively to improve access to innovative cancer therapies through a continental approach. Ms Ibraheem noted that participation had grown significantly since the inaugural conference in Ethiopia, attracting more countries, sponsors, and stakeholders committed to advancing cancer care across Africa.
The conference, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), brought together oncologists, researchers, policymakers, and development partners from across Africa and beyond. Participants reviewed major scientific advances presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting and explored how they could be applied within African health systems.
