- First Lady, Lagos govt call for people-centred care, early detection
- Senator Tinubu urges Nigerians to unite voices, actions for cancer-free future
- Foundation seeks help for breast cancer patients
A member of the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) have agreed to invest about $154.1 million to expand cancer treatment and modern diagnostic services for communities across parts of Nigeria that currently lack access to quality healthcare.
The project, which will be carried out through NSIA’s healthcare subsidiary, NSIA Advanced Medical Services Limited (MedServe), includes a major contribution from the IFC of about N14.2 billion, or $24.5 million, in long-term naira financing.
This marks the first time the IFC is supporting a healthcare project in Nigeria, using local currency funding, which helps to reduce the risk that comes from changes in foreign exchange rates.
The collaboration was announced yesterday during the commemoration of this year’s World Cancer Day with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu calling for a stronger and more compassionate response to cancer cases.
She urged Nigerians to place people at the centre of care by listening to individual stories and recognising that every cancer journey is different.
In a message to mark this year’s World Cancer Day, observed on February 4, the First Lady noted that building an effective national response to cancer requires empathy, prevention, and sustained support systems for patients and families.
“By listening to individual stories and placing people at the centre of care, we can build a stronger, more compassionate response to cancer,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu said such a response must be “rooted in prevention, early detection, access to quality treatment, and sustained support,” stressing that these pillars remain essential to reducing cancer-related deaths and improving outcomes across the country.
She also emphasised the need for collective action, saying progress depends on a shared commitment by government, health professionals, civil society, families and communities.
“Together, by uniting our voices and actions, we can move closer to a cancer-free future for all,” Mrs. Tinubu said.
She noted that this year’s World Cancer Day with the theme: UnitedByUnique, was a reminder that while cancer affects individuals in unique ways, the hope for healing and survival is common to all.
“Every cancer journey is different, yet our hope is shared,” the First Lady said.
World Cancer Day is observed globally every February 4 to raise awareness about cancer, promote prevention, encourage early detection, and support efforts to improve treatment and care for patients.
Details of the IFC and NSIA partnership showed that the investment will lead to the establishment of more than a dozen modern diagnostic and treatment centres in different parts of the country.
The centres are expected to create about 800 direct jobs and provide specialised training for over 500 healthcare workers in many areas, such as cancer care and heart treatment.
The goal of the project is to improve access to reliable and affordable diagnostic and oncology services, especially for people in low-income and underserved communities who often struggle to get timely medical attention.
Under the arrangement, the IFC will provide naira-based financing to MedServe, with support from the International Development Association’s Private Sector Window Local Currency Facility. This structure allows the healthcare company to expand its facilities while avoiding the heavy burden that can come from borrowing in foreign currencies.
The expansion plan includes setting up diagnostic centres, radiotherapy-equipped cancer treatment facilities, and cardiac catheterisation laboratories in several states. These centres will be fitted with modern medical equipment, such as CT and MRI scanners, digital pathology laboratories, linear accelerators for cancer treatment, and advanced heart care machines.
MedServe said its services are designed to be sustainable and affordable, with pricing that reflects the income levels of local communities, making it easier for low-income patients to access life-saving care.
Speaking on the partnership, NSIA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, described the initiative as a major step towards building a stronger healthcare system in the country.
“This partnership with IFC represents a significant milestone in NSIA’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem through sustainable, locally anchored investment solutions,” Umar-Sadiq said.
“By deploying long-tenor naira financing, we are addressing critical infrastructure gaps while reducing foreign exchange risk and ensuring that quality diagnostic and cancer care services are accessible to underserved communities. “MedServe’s expansion underscores our belief that commercially viable healthcare investments can deliver strong development impact while supporting national health priorities,” he added.
The IFC Vice President for Africa, Ethiopis Tafara, said Nigeria’s growing challenge with non-communicable diseases presents an opportunity to bring in private sector funding in a way that also promotes fairness in access to healthcare.
“Nigeria’s focus on addressing the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases presents a significant opportunity to deploy innovative financing mechanisms capable of mobilizing private capital at scale, while ensuring equitable access to quality care,” Tafara said.
“This ambition is consistent with our broader vision for Africa, one where resilient health systems and inclusive growth reinforce each other to deliver long-term impact across the continent,” he added.
The IFC said the investment supports Nigeria’s drive for Universal Health Coverage and fits into the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework, as well as national programmes aimed at strengthening the healthcare value chain and attracting private investment into the health sector.
Beyond funding, the IFC will also provide advisory support to help MedServe improve its operations. This includes guidance on patient safety, measuring how well low-income groups are being served, and meeting international green building standards.
Construction of the new facilities is expected to continue through 2026, with the first centres projected to open in the second half of the year, bringing modern diagnostic and cancer care closer to communities that have long been underserved.
Also, the Lagos State government has said early detection remains the most effective and affordable weapon against cancer.
The state government said this yesterday while marking this year’s World Cancer Day with a statewide awareness walk and free cancer screening for public servants at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja.
The exercise, organised by the Ministry of Health through its Non-Communicable Diseases and Cancer Control programmes, underscored the state’s policy shift towards prevention-focused healthcare, early diagnosis and expanded access to cancer services, amid rising cancer cases across age groups.
The awareness walk, which passed through key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) within the state secretariat, was followed by free breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screening at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic.
The walk took off from the Ministry of Health and passed through the Public Service Office, the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Establishments and Training, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Leading the exercise were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide; the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos Health District VI, Dr. Olufemi Omololu; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo; and the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, alongside development partners and civil servants.
Ogunyemi said the World Cancer Day commemoration was designed to confront fear, stigma, and misinformation that continue to delay early presentation and treatment.
“Cancer is often wrongly seen as a death sentence, and that belief discourages people from seeking help early. With early detection through screening, many cancers can be treated successfully,” she said.
The special adviser urged residents to adopt routine screening as part of their personal health culture.
She stressed that prevention and early diagnosis remain far cheaper and more effective than treatment, noting that cancer treatment is often financially and emotionally draining for patients and families.
“Prevention is better than cure. It saves lives, reduces costs and protects families,” Ogunyemi said.
The special adviser assured the residents that the state government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was strengthening cancer care infrastructure, including plans for a comprehensive oncology centre in Alausa to provide prevention, treatment, post-care and caregiver support under one roof.
Lajide described World Cancer Day as a moment of sober reflection, noting that cancer continues to take a heavy toll on individuals and families.
“Today is not just about awareness; it is about action. Regular screening saves lives, and services are available beyond today across Lagos State health facilities, starting from our Primary Health Care Centres,” he said.
The permanent secretary announced that Governor Sanwo-Olu had approved free breast, cervical and prostate cancer screening for public servants at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic during the period, describing the gesture as part of the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and public health protection.
Onigbanjo praised the Ministry of Health for the initiative, noting that women and vulnerable groups often face economic and social barriers to early cancer detection.
“Health and poverty are closely linked. When women are healthy and informed, families and communities are stronger,” she said, urging residents to prioritise their health and take advantage of the free screening services.
Also, Omololu warned that prostate cancer, once largely associated with older men, is increasingly being diagnosed among younger age groups, stressing the need for proactive health behaviour.
“Men must overcome fear and stigma. Early screening allows timely intervention and better outcomes,” he said.
The Director of Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, said the rising prevalence of cancer makes early action more critical than ever, urging public servants to lead by example.
“As caregivers and service providers, we must also care for ourselves. Cancer screening saves lives, and prevention remains our strongest tool,” she said, adding that screening services are covered under the state health insurance scheme.
Delivering the closing remarks, the Programme Coordinator, Cancer Control Programme, Lagos State, Dr. Abosede Wellington, disclosed that cancer cases are rising in the state, with an increasing number occurring among younger populations.
She urged residents to seek medical attention promptly when they notice unusual changes in their bodies, encouraging women to practise self-breast examination and access free cervical cancer screening available in over 60 health facilities across the state.
Wellington also reiterated the importance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls to prevent cervical cancer and advised men from age 40 to undergo regular prostate cancer screening.
As part of the day’s commemoration, a free breast, cervical and prostate cancer screening will be provided for eligible civil servants at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic on February 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. daily, while a free mammogram screening will run from February 2 till February 13.
The commemoration ended with public servants accessing screening services, as the state renewed its call for collective action to reduce the cancer burden through sustained awareness, prevention and early detection.
Also, a foundation, Hassy’s Haven Foundation, called for an urgent action to save indigent women battling cancer.
The foundation noted that poverty, stigma and poor access to care was forcing many to suffer and die in silence.
It said cancer has become a daily reality destroying families and livelihoods, noting that thousands of Nigerian women are diagnosed late not because treatment is unavailable but because early detection, accurate information and affordable care remain beyond the reach of the most vulnerable.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Hussaina Mohammed Yakubu, described breast cancer as a medical challenge and a social justice issue that disproportionately affects poor women who lack support and access to treatment.
She stressed that many women were forced to choose between feeding their families and seeking cancer care.
According to her, no patient should be left to walk the difficult journey alone because of poverty.
Hussaina said the Hassy’s Haven Foundation, established in memory of her late twin sister, Hassana ‘Hassylove’ Yakubu, who battled cancer for eight years, has continued to provide emotional support, advocacy, sensitisation and financial assistance to indigent female cancer patients, as well as widows and orphans affected by the disease.
She explained that the pain of losing her sister inspired the vision to turn grief into purpose by standing with women who have no voice, access or safety net in their fight against cancer.
The foundation urged governments, private sector players, health institutions and development partners to strengthen cancer prevention strategies, invest in early screening, subsidise treatment and decentralise oncology services to rural and underserved communities.
It also urged the public to break the culture of silence and stigma around cancer, insisting that early detection and community support remain critical to improving survival outcomes and reducing preventable deaths.
