FG Unveils Major Plan to Make Cancer Treatment More Affordable for Nigerians.

The Federal Government has announced new measures to slash cancer treatment costs and improve access to care across Nigeria.

Professor Usman Aliyu, Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), revealed the plans on Saturday at the Best of American Society of Clinical Oncology Africa 2026 conference in Abuja.

Speaking to healthcare professionals gathered for the event, Aliyu acknowledged that cancer treatment remains financially out of reach for many Nigerians, but said the government is taking concrete steps to change that.

"For many Nigerians, the cost of cancer care has been overwhelming," Aliyu said. "We're introducing targeted support through the Catastrophic Health Fund and the National Cancer Health Fund to ease this burden."

The government is also pushing for local drug production through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain. By manufacturing essential cancer medicines locally, officials hope to drastically reduce treatment costs.

In another breakthrough, the country has launched its first ever immunotherapy clinical studies. Patients can now access advanced drugs like Nivolumab and Keytruda previously unavailable in Nigeria at no cost through these trials.

Lolade Adewale, Special Adviser on Research and Innovation to the Minister of State for Health, said expanded insurance coverage is also in the pipeline. "Within the next year, you'll hear more about how we're strengthening cancer insurance schemes," she promised.

However, experts warn that Africa still lags in cancer research, contributing only about 8% of global studies. Dr. Miriam Mutebi, former President of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer, called on governments to invest 1% of their GDP in research and development.