An expert in cancer care, Dr Habeeb Yakub, has called for a multi-faceted approach to tackle the growing burden of cancer in Nigeria. Yakub, who is the chief clinical coordinator at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Cancer Centre, emphasised that the challenges in cancer care demand urgent and coordinated efforts to mitigate the rising prevalence of the disease.
In a press statement made available to journalists to commemorate the 2025 World Cancer Day, Dr Yakub decried the inadequacies of the nation’s cancer care system. He identified limited access to quality treatment, insufficient funding, and the mass emigration of medical professionals as key obstacles. According to him, without robust interventions, Nigeria’s healthcare system will continue to struggle with the increasing cancer cases.
Citing World Health Organisation’s statistics, Dr Yakub stated that cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths annually worldwide, with over 124,000 new cases reported yearly in Nigeria. He explained that widespread cultural misinformation and financial constraints remain major barriers to effective care, urging the government to prioritise health insurance schemes that can alleviate the financial burden on patients.
“There is widespread cultural misinformation among our populace, coupled with significant financial challenges. If we had a robust health insurance system where people could access care without paying out of pocket, many more patients would seek timely treatment,” he stated.
He also raised concerns over the increasing rate of medical brain drain, revealing that over half of Nigeria’s medical graduates leave for opportunities abroad. He described this trend as a critical issue undermining cancer care delivery, especially as most healthcare centres struggle with inadequate facilities and outdated equipment.
According to him, only a handful of centres in Nigeria have access to the linear accelerators and brachytherapy machines needed for effective cancer treatment. He emphasised that addressing these infrastructural gaps requires innovative approaches, particularly through public-private partnerships.
Dr Yakub lauded the success of the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, which has treated over 12,000 patients since its inception. He attributed this milestone to a partnership between NSIA and Siemens Healthineers, which has equipped the centre with state-of-the-art facilities, including four linear accelerators—the highest number in West Africa.
He further noted that the collaboration had facilitated advanced training for radiotherapy therapists, medical physicists, clinical oncologists, and oncology nurses from tertiary institutions across the country. He added that the initiative had also encouraged some Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora to return and contribute to the sector’s growth.
While commending the progress at the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, Dr Yakub called for a decentralised approach to cancer care. He advocated for the establishment of treatment centres in rural areas, where access to quality healthcare remains a challenge. He also stressed the importance of sustained public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about the disease and encourage early diagnosis.
“One of the cheapest and most impactful strategies is to increase awareness and education about cancer. We need to educate our people and ensure that treatment centres are accessible, even in rural communities,” he stated.
In a related development, Tisha Boatman, executive vice-president, head of External Affairs and Healthcare Access, Siemens Healthineers reaffirmed its commitment to advancing cancer care in Nigeria. He said the organisation pledged continued collaboration with NSIA to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem.
Boatman noted that Siemens Healthineers had provided the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre with state-of-the-art facilities, including four linear accelerators. She added that the company also offered training to healthcare professionals at the centre to enhance the quality of care delivered to patients.
“We remain dedicated to supporting Nigeria in building a comprehensive healthcare framework—from diagnostics to therapy and follow-up—while also developing the workforce required to sustain these efforts. At Siemens Healthineers, we envision a world without the fear of cancer,” the statement reads.
