President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Tinubu Approves ₦37.4bn Upgrade of Six Cancer Treatment Centres Nationwide
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment and upgrade of six world-class cancer treatment centres across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones in a major step aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system, expanding access to specialised oncology services and reducing the growing reliance on medical treatment abroad.
The initiative, valued at approximately ₦37.4 billion, is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) as part of the administration’s broader healthcare transformation agenda.
The approval was disclosed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, who said the project is designed to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment and long-term patient care across the country while addressing the shortage of advanced oncology facilities.
According to him, the programme builds on the success of earlier healthcare interventions such as the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, which has become one of Nigeria’s leading cancer treatment facilities since its establishment.
The latest intervention seeks to create a nationwide network of modern oncology and nuclear medicine centres equipped with cutting-edge technology capable of delivering comprehensive cancer care closer to patients’ homes.
Under the project, six federal teaching hospitals have been selected to host the upgraded oncology centres.
The approved facilities are:
The centres are being equipped with advanced cancer treatment technologies, including linear accelerators, radiotherapy systems, nuclear medicine equipment, imaging technologies and other specialised diagnostic tools used in the detection and treatment of various forms of cancer.
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Health experts say the facilities will significantly improve access to cancer screening, diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other specialised oncology services that are currently limited in many parts of the country.
The project was initially conceived to address longstanding gaps in cancer treatment infrastructure and to reduce the number of Nigerians forced to travel abroad annually for specialised medical care.
According to healthcare stakeholders, Nigeria records more than 120,000 new cancer cases every year, while limited treatment facilities and inadequate access to radiotherapy services have continued to pose major challenges for patients.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, had previously explained that President Tinubu approved NSIA’s direct involvement in the project to accelerate implementation, improve transparency and ensure efficient project delivery.
Pate noted that the funding package combines previous budgetary allocations with fresh investments aimed at ensuring the successful completion and long-term sustainability of the oncology centres.
Beyond infrastructure development, the programme also includes the training of medical personnel, procurement of specialised equipment and the establishment of operational frameworks to ensure world-class service delivery.
As of mid-2026, three of the six approved oncology centres have already been completed and commissioned.
The completed facilities are located at:
The commissioning of the centres represents a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to improve access to specialised healthcare services.
Among the newly commissioned facilities, the Katsina Oncology Centre has attracted considerable attention due to its installation of TrueBeam radiotherapy technology, regarded as one of the most advanced radiation treatment systems available globally.
Medical experts say the technology allows doctors to deliver highly precise radiation treatment while minimising damage to healthy tissues surrounding cancerous cells, thereby improving treatment outcomes and patient safety.
Officials believe the upgraded oncology centres will help reduce the financial burden associated with overseas medical treatment, improve early detection of cancer and increase survival rates among patients.
The initiative also aligns with the Federal Government’s broader Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme, which seeks to modernise healthcare infrastructure, strengthen tertiary healthcare institutions and expand access to specialised medical services nationwide.
In addition to oncology services, the programme includes investments in diagnostic centres, workforce development, emergency medical services and other critical healthcare infrastructure projects.
Stakeholders have described the project as one of the most significant investments in cancer care infrastructure in Nigeria’s recent history, with the potential to transform oncology treatment and position the country as a regional healthcare destination.
With three centres already operational and the remaining facilities progressing toward completion, the Federal Government says the initiative will improve access to life-saving treatment, reduce medical tourism and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to manage cancer and other complex diseases within its borders.
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