FG unveils AI-driven cancer plan to improve prevention, diagnosis

…announces free screening throughout February

The Federal Government has unveiled a new national cancer control plan that leverages artificial intelligence into prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as it seeks to curb the rising cancer burden across the country.

Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, who unveiled the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) 2026–2030 on Wednesday in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 World Cancer Day, said the Federal Government would be placing increased emphasis on cancer prevention.

He noted that cancer remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, with about 20 million new cases and over 10 million deaths recorded globally in 2025, and projections indicating that annual cases could exceed 30 million by 2050, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria.

Salako explained that the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030 provides a comprehensive framework for improving cancer risk assessment, prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and palliative care across the country, while also strengthening research, governance and sustainable financing.

He added that the plan promotes the use of precision oncology and artificial intelligence to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment planning, research and cancer surveillance, in line with global best practices.

Read also: Breast, cervical, prostate cancers account for 40% deaths in Nigeria – Report

The minister further noted that more than 40% of cancer-related deaths globally are linked to modifiable risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, unhealthy diets and air pollution.

“To address this, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is working with relevant agencies to reduce exposure to risk factors, expand screening services and integrate cancer-preventive vaccines into the national immunisation programme,” he said.

The minister also announced that eight preventive oncology clinics had become fully operational in federal tertiary health institutions across the country, enabling Nigerians to access routine cancer screening services.

The facilities are located at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja; FMC Ebute-Meta; University of Benin Teaching Hospital; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto; Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano; and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife.

Salako also disclosed that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), would provide free cancer screening services nationwide throughout the month of February, with programmes planned across the six geopolitical zones to promote early detection and favourable treatment outcomes.

Earlier, Usman Aliyu, Director-General of NICRAT, said the institute is strengthening Nigeria’s cancer response through expanded cancer research capacity, improved population-based cancer registries and the establishment of national cancer screening centres.

He stressed that early detection remains critical to improving cancer survival rates in Nigeria, adding that NICRAT is working to shift cancer care from late-stage intervention to prevention and timely diagnosis.