Nigeria Bolsters Healthcare With 500 Projects And Three New Cancer Centres.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has achieved a significant milestone in healthcare, delivering over 500 health projects and commissioning three state-of-the-art oncology centres within two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Speaking at the inauguration of a cutting-edge oncology centre at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Benin City on 24 July 2025, Pate described the progress as a transformative shift from promises to tangible action in Nigeria’s health sector.
The newly commissioned UBTH oncology centre, one of three world-class facilities opened in Katsina, Enugu, and Edo, is equipped with advanced radiotherapy and chemotherapy facilities, positioning it as a leading hub for cancer treatment in southern Nigeria. Pate revealed that three additional centres in Zaria, Jos, and Lagos are at advanced stages of development, forming part of a planned network of 10 oncology and diagnostic centres, the largest in West Africa. These facilities are projected to serve 2,000 oncology patients and 350,000 diagnostic clients annually, while training 500 clinicians over the next three years to enhance cancer care capacity.
The minister highlighted that 501 projects, including equipment upgrades and infrastructure improvements, have been completed across 61 federal tertiary hospitals, with numerous primary healthcare centres revitalised nationwide. This progress, Pate noted, stems from President Tinubu’s commitment to prioritising the well-being of ordinary Nigerians, supported by economic reforms that have expanded fiscal resources for public investment. The National Cancer Access Programme has already benefited 259 patients, with over N430 million spent on treatment and diagnostics, and a cost-sharing initiative by the National Health Insurance Authority offers up to N400,000 in support for eligible patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Finance Minister Wale Edun, speaking at the event, emphasised that Nigerians no longer need to seek cancer treatment abroad, as these facilities bring world-class care to all six geopolitical zones. He urged stakeholders to maintain the equipment to ensure long-term impact. Prof. Darlington Obaseki, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, hailed the oncology centre as a product of visionary leadership and strategic partnerships with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and MedServe, predicting it will transform cancer care in the region.
This ambitious healthcare initiative, backed by a N37.4 billion budget allocation in 2024, reflects a bold effort to reduce medical tourism and improve survival rates for cancer patients. With plans to establish 350,000 diagnostic centres nationwide, the government aims to enhance early detection and treatment, marking a new era of accessible, high-quality healthcare for Nigerians.
