The Federal Government has expanded financial support for cancer patients through targeted health funds and insurance initiatives while increasing investments in local research, drug production and clinical trials aimed at improving access to affordable cancer care.
The Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami, disclosed this during the Best of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Africa 2026 conference in Abuja.
Speaking at the conference, themed “From Global Discovery to Local Delivery: Driving Africa to the Cutting Edge of Cancer Care,” Malami acknowledged that the cost of cancer treatment remains beyond the reach of many Nigerians but said the government had introduced several interventions to ease the financial burden.
He explained that the Catastrophic Health Fund, managed by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), subsidises cancer prevention, diagnosis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for eligible patients.
Malami added that NICRAT also administers the National Cancer Health Fund, which provides financial assistance to indigent cancer patients.
According to him, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain will boost local production of cancer medicines, reduce dependence on imported drugs and improve access to affordable treatment.
He said experts at the conference would review landmark cancer studies presented at the recent ASCO Annual Meeting and explore how they can be adapted to African healthcare systems.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Research and Innovation to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Lolade Adewale, said the government is strengthening financial protection for cancer patients through expanded insurance coverage.
She disclosed that both the Cancer Health Fund and the Social Determinants of Health Fund are expected to improve access to treatment for eligible Nigerians.
Adewale also revealed that Nigeria has commenced three immunotherapy clinical trials for the first time, enabling eligible patients to receive advanced cancer medicines such as Nivolumab and Keytruda free of charge through clinical studies.
The Immediate Past President of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), Dr. Miriam Mutebi, noted that Africa contributes only about eight per cent of global cancer research despite carrying a significant share of the world’s cancer burden.
She urged African governments to increase investment in research and development to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment and healthcare systems.
The Chief Medical Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Dr. Julie Gralow, stressed the need for more cancer research involving African populations to ensure global treatment advances are effective and accessible on the continent.
She said the ASCO-AORTIC partnership is focused on strengthening workforce development, clinical research and training future African cancer researchers, adding that the second round of the Sub-Saharan Africa Clinical Research Scholars Programme will open in October.
AORTIC Vice-President for North America, Dr. Abiola Ibraheem, called for stronger collaboration among African countries to improve access to innovative cancer therapies, noting that collective action would help bridge the gap in treatment availability across the continent.
The conference comes as Africa continues to face a growing cancer burden, with Nigeria recording one of the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa. Breast, cervical, prostate, liver and colorectal cancers remain the country’s most common cancers, while late diagnosis, limited screening, inadequate treatment facilities and high costs continue to affect patient outcomes.