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.

“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.

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.