The Federal Government has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) 2026–2030, positioning emerging technologies at the centre of efforts to reduce the country’s cancer burden by 30% by 2030 through improved prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and research.
Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, announced the initiative at the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) Best of ASCO Africa 2026 conference in Abuja, where he outlined the government’s strategy to leverage AI and digital technologies to strengthen cancer care nationwide.
The integration of AI into the five-year national strategy, according to the minister, is part of a broader shift towards technology-driven healthcare, with the government seeking to improve disease surveillance, support clinical decision-making, enhance diagnostic capabilities and strengthen data-driven cancer management across the healthcare system.
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare. Image credit: Federal Ministry of Health.
“The National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030 provides a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, research, workforce development, data systems, artificial intelligence, partnerships and resource mobilisation to improve cancer outcomes nationwide,” the minister says. He says the inclusion of AI reflects the government’s commitment to harnessing emerging technologies to improve evidence-based healthcare delivery and modernise Nigeria’s cancer control ecosystem.
AI to strengthen cancer prevention and treatment
According to Salako, the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030 provides a comprehensive roadmap for improving every stage of cancer care, from prevention and screening to treatment, survivorship and research.
“The National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030 provides a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, research, workforce development, data systems, artificial intelligence, partnerships and resource mobilisation to improve cancer outcomes nationwide,” the minister says.
He says the inclusion of AI reflects the government’s commitment to harnessing emerging technologies to improve evidence-based healthcare delivery and modernise Nigeria’s cancer control ecosystem.
The renewed implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises stronger healthcare systems, innovation and strategic partnerships to tackle non-communicable diseases.
To support implementation of the strategy, Salako says the Federal Government has inaugurated a multi-sectoral National Technical Working Group comprising clinicians, researchers, cancer survivors, civil society organisations, development partners and private sector representatives.
The group will adopt an implementation science approach to translate the objectives of the National Cancer Control Plan into measurable outcomes, ensuring that policy interventions deliver tangible improvements in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
Nigeria integrates AI into its National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030 to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research by 2030. Image credit: Federal Ministry of Health.
According to him, locally generated scientific data will ensure that emerging innovations, including AI-powered healthcare solutions, are better adapted to the realities of African health systems.
Nigeria among Africa’s hardest-hit countries
Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, Salako says Africa recorded more than 1.18 million new cancer cases and over 721,000 cancer-related deaths in 2024.
According to him, cancer now claims more lives across the continent than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
He adds that Nigeria accounts for about 10.5% of Africa’s cancer burden, making it one of the continent’s three most affected countries alongside Egypt and South Africa.
Call for African-led cancer research
The minister urged African researchers and oncology professionals to generate and validate more research within African populations rather than relying predominantly on international evidence.
According to him, locally generated scientific data will ensure that emerging innovations, including AI-powered healthcare solutions, are better adapted to the realities of African health systems.
Salako also advocated stronger collaboration among African countries in cancer research, innovation, workforce development and access to treatment, describing the approach as a new era of Healthcare Pan-Africanism.
“The time has come for healthcare to assume a more central place in continental cooperation through what I describe as Cancer Care Pan-Africanism,” he says.
“Nigeria remains committed to advancing education, research, advocacy and strategic partnerships that will reduce cancer incidence and mortality, improve the quality of life of patients and strengthen resilient cancer care systems across Africa.”
The minister commended AORTIC, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and other partners for convening the conference, noting that it provides an important platform for adapting global oncology advances to African healthcare systems while promoting evidence-based cancer care across the continent.
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The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) has recorded a major milestone with the introduction of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) service provision to restore hopes of childless couples.
The milestone was recorded by a team of the hospital’s assisted reproductive health technology and others.
The Chief Consultant Gynaecologist and IVF Specialist at AKTH, Dr Ibrahim Rais, disclosed this in a video shared on the hospital’s official Facebook page.
Mr Rais said the team collected eggs from two women, while semen samples were also collected from their husbands for the next stage of the IVF procedure.
“Today marks a great milestone in the history of AKTH and the IVF service provision in the institution.
“The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, CMD, Abdulrahman Sheshe and his team has been working assiduously and today we have achieved this great milestone of the first egg collection in this institution.
“We have collected eggs from two women and also collected semen samples from their husbands. The eggs collected will be fertilised with their husbands’ sperm and we hope to achieve success.
“We are going to continue the service provision with three more patients and then we cap it up on Sunday with the last patient,” he said.
Mr Rais said commencement of the service would bring the service close to the population and restore hope among couples suffering from infertility.
“It is also important to note that starting IVF services in AKTH has been a very important development because the center will form one of points for service provision to the teeming population needing IVF services.
“It will form a centre of excellence for training in the field of Obstetric and Gynaecologist and Reproductive medicine.
“We have extracted more than a dozen eggs for now. Embryologists are working assiduously to ensure that there is fertilisation by sperm of the patients that had the procedure.
“We will go on to get more eggs that will generate more embryos and translate to potential more Nigerians,” Mr Rais said.
Similarly, the hospital in a statement on its official handle, said the milestone was achieved through the collaborative efforts of AKTH staff, specialist reproductive health experts from Jos and Abuja, and two embryologists.
It described the development as a significant step towards expanding advanced fertility services and bringing hope closer to residents.
Meanwhile, the hospital congratulated the the AKTH team for attaining the feat.
Three promising Nigerian youngsters — Raheem Moyinoluwa Salaudeen, Fawas Ayomide Adeleke and Jacob Obiora Iyida — are taking another important step in their football development after being registered for trial opportunities in the United Kingdom.
The trio, who are associated with Buruj Football Club and Buruj Sports Academy, will have the opportunity to experience football in a different environment while testing themselves against talented players in the UK.
The registration is part of Buruj’s wider commitment to creating international pathways for young Nigerian footballers and providing them with opportunities to gain exposure beyond the domestic football system.
For Raheem, Fawas and Jacob, the UK opportunity represents more than simply a football trial. It is a chance to learn, adapt and understand the demands of playing in a different football culture.
The three youngsters have continued to show commitment and determination throughout their development, and their latest opportunity provides another platform to showcase the qualities they have developed through their time in Nigeria.
Speaking about the opportunity, Raheem Salaudeen said:
“This is a big opportunity for us and we are grateful to everyone who has supported our journey. We want to go there, learn as much as possible, compete with confidence and show what Nigerian young players can do.”
Fawas Adeleke also expressed his determination to make the most of the experience:
“I see this as an opportunity to improve myself and understand a different style of football. I want to work hard, listen to the coaches and make every opportunity count. Hopefully, this will open another door for my career.”
For Jacob Obiora Iyida, the focus is equally clear — continue learning, gaining experience and taking another step towards his professional ambitions.
“I’m excited about the opportunity because playing outside Nigeria has always been one of my goals. I know there is a lot to learn, so I want to stay focused, work hard and show my best whenever I get the chance.”
Buruj Football Club and Buruj Sports Academy believe international exposure can play a significant role in the development of young footballers, allowing them to experience different coaching philosophies, tactical approaches and football cultures.
The academy’s development philosophy also places emphasis on education and personal development, ensuring that young players are prepared not only for possible professional careers but also for life beyond football.
The UK trip therefore represents another stage in a broader development pathway designed to help Nigerian youngsters build confidence, experience and international connections.
For Raheem, Fawas and Jacob, the message is simple: the opportunity has arrived, and now it is time to make it count.
From Nigeria to the United Kingdom, another chapter begins—with bigger dreams ahead.