Dr. Habeeb Yakub, Chief Clinical Coordinator at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Cancer Centre, has emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to combat the rising burden of cancer in Nigeria.
Speaking in commemoration of the 2025 World Cancer Day, Yakub highlighted critical challenges plaguing the country’s cancer care system, including inadequate funding, limited access to quality treatment, and a high rate of medical professionals leaving the country. He stressed the importance of robust health insurance to ensure affordability for patients and called for increased awareness to combat misinformation about the disease.
Nigeria records over 124,000 new cancer cases annually, a figure that underscores the need for better healthcare infrastructure. Yakub pointed out that many healthcare facilities lack essential cancer treatment equipment, such as linear accelerators and brachytherapy machines, limiting access to life-saving care.
The oncologist praised the success of the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, which has treated over 12,000 patients since its establishment. He attributed this success to a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Siemens Healthineers, which has provided advanced medical technology and training for healthcare professionals. He urged the government to adopt more PPP initiatives to improve cancer care across the country.
In a related statement, Siemens Healthineers reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria. The company, through its partnership with NSIA-LUTH, has supplied cutting-edge treatment facilities and continues to train medical professionals to strengthen the country’s oncology care.
Yakub also called for the establishment of cancer treatment centres in rural areas and reiterated that increasing public awareness remains one of the most effective strategies for combating cancer nationwide.
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