The Federal Government has approved 35 new linear accelerators to expand cancer treatment and give more Nigerians access to life-saving radiotherapy.
The machines are expected to be procured between 2027 and 2029 as part of a broader plan to strengthen cancer care nationwide.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, announced the development in Abuja while hosting members of the Global Advisory Council of the National Cancer Control Plan Technical Working Group.
Salako said the investment is anchored on the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, which places greater emphasis on prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship.
The minister also disclosed that six cancer treatment centres are being developed across Nigeria.
Three of the centres have been completed, while construction continues on the other three.
Beyond treatment, the government is stepping up efforts to detect cancer earlier, with expanded cervical cancer screening and public awareness campaigns.
Some screening services are also being integrated into primary and secondary healthcare facilities to make early detection more accessible.
Salako said the government has approved the Human Papillomavirus vaccination programme and established a Cervical Cancer Elimination Council to strengthen the fight against cervical cancer.
He also inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium to improve cooperation, knowledge-sharing and treatment outcomes for Nigerians battling blood cancers.
The government, he said, is targeting a 50 per cent reduction in Nigeria’s cancer burden by 2030.
Salako stressed that achieving the target would require stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and development partners.
