By Joy Onu
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, announcing plans to expand screening services, strengthen treatment facilities and increase domestic funding as it seeks to reduce deaths from one of Nigeria’s leading cancers among women.
According to a press statement signed by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, on Saturday, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako said Nigeria had made significant progress in HPV vaccination, but screening and treatment remained the weakest links in the country’s response to cervical cancer.
The minister said Nigeria records about 13,676 new cases of cervical cancer each year, with many women seeking medical care only after the disease has reached an advanced stage.
To reverse the trend, Salako said the government will scale up HPV-based screening at primary healthcare centres, strengthen referral pathways for patients requiring specialised care and expand the capacity of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment to provide diagnosis and treatment across the country’s geopolitical zones.
He said the measures form part of Nigeria’s strategy to achieve the World Health Organization target of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030 through increased vaccination, wider screening coverage and improved access to treatment.
Salako said the country’s HPV vaccination programme, introduced in 2023, has so far reached more than 17 million girls between the ages of nine and 14.
He said that the next phase of implementation will focus on improving vaccine access for girls in underserved communities through schools and community-based outreach programmes, particularly targeting those who are out of school, while increasing national vaccination coverage beyond 80 per cent.
The minister said the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, supported by the Renewed Hope Initiative of Oluremi Tinubu, has adopted an integrated approach to cervical cancer prevention, combining vaccination, screening, treatment and public awareness.
He said that the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination is coordinating nationwide efforts to ensure Nigeria remains on course to meet the 2030 target, while investments are also being directed towards strengthening health information systems to monitor progress.
According to Salako, the programme continues to receive support from international partners, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Financing Facility, UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, while the Federal Government is increasing domestic investment to sustain cancer prevention and control initiatives.
He also said Nigeria has gained international recognition for its role in advancing global efforts against cervical cancer, including co-leading the resolution establishing World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, and urged policymakers, researchers and health professionals to translate discussions from the webinar into practical actions that will improve outcomes for Nigerian women and girls.
