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Introduction
Cancer is not just a disease—it is an unfolding crisis that threatens lives, devastates families and strains Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system. Each diagnosis is a personal battle, yet the scale of the epidemic demands a collective response. As the second leading cause of death worldwide, cancer claimed nearly 10 million lives in 2020 alone. The consequences are even more severe for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria, where access to early detection and treatment is limited.
Nigeria is at the epicentre of this growing catastrophe. With over 127,000 new cases and 70,000 deaths annually, cancer is now a significant public health emergency. One in four Nigerians is directly affected, either as a patient or through a loved one battling the disease. Breast cancer leads the charge, accounting for 20% of cancer-related deaths, followed closely by liver (16%), prostate (13%), cervical (12%), and colorectal (4.4%) cancers. The country’s survival rates lag far behind global averages, with delayed diagnoses and financial barriers condemning thousands to preventable deaths each year.
Meanwhile, projections paint an even grimmer picture. By 2050, global cancer cases are expected to rise to 35 million, with Africa bearing the brunt of this increase. Nigeria cannot afford to wait. Without decisive action, cancer mortality will continue to escalate, deepening health inequalities and overwhelming an already strained healthcare system.
Athena Perspectives presents a data-driven analysis of Nigeria’s cancer crisis. It identifies key challenges, including limited public awareness, inadequate screening infrastructure, and financial barriers to treatment, while drawing from global best practices to recommend urgent policy reforms. The fight against cancer requires a bold, unified approach—one that prioritises early detection, equitable access to treatment, and sustainable healthcare financing.
This brief outline a clear roadmap for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and civil society to turn the tide against cancer in Nigeria—because every diagnosis should not be a death sentence.
The Growing Cancer Crisis in Nigeria: Challenges and Global Context
Rising Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria, the burden is particularly severe due to late-stage diagnosis and limited access to treatment. With a population exceeding 220 million, Nigeria records over 127,000 new cancer cases annually, with mortality exceeding 79,000 deaths each year.
Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Nigerian women, while prostate cancer dominates among men. Comparatively, in Germany and Canada, where healthcare systems prioritise early detection and treatment access, five-year survival rates for breast and prostate cancers exceed 80%. However, in Nigeria, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is only 25.6%, a stark contrast that underscores the urgency of systemic reform.
Limited Public Awareness and Knowledge Gaps
Public awareness is a critical pillar of effective cancer prevention, yet in Nigeria, knowledge gaps remain a significant barrier to early detection and treatment. Surveys reveal that 62% of Nigerians do not know the causes of cancer, leading to misconceptions and stigma that delay diagnosis.
In contrast, countries with structured awareness campaigns, such as the United States and Australia, have successfully reduced late-stage cancer diagnoses through public education initiatives. For example, the American Cancer Society (ACS) runs year-round awareness programs that educate citizens on risk factors, early screening, and lifestyle changes to prevent cancer. Nigeria must adopt a nationwide awareness strategy that leverages traditional media, digital platforms, and community outreach to shift public perception and encourage proactive healthcare-seeking behaviour.
Inadequate Healthcare Infrastructure and Resources
Despite commendable initiatives such as the National Cancer Health Fund and the National Cancer Control Plan (2023-2027), Nigeria’s cancer care infrastructure remains grossly inadequate. Specialized cancer centres are limited, and rural areas lack essential diagnostic facilities, forcing patients to travel long distances for treatment.
This challenge is not unique to Nigeria; Rwanda faced similar limitations but addressed them through decentralized cancer care. With support from WHO, Rwanda established a nationwide cervical cancer screening program, integrating screenings into primary healthcare services to ensure accessibility even in remote areas. Nigeria must adopt a similar decentralised approach, equipping regional health facilities with basic screening tools and trained personnel to improve early diagnosis rates.
Financial Barriers to Treatment
The cost of cancer treatment in Nigeria is prohibitively high, with breast cancer treatment averaging N20 million—an amount beyond the reach of many families. Additionally, out-of-pocket spending remains a major issue, as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) only partially covers essential diagnostic procedures like CT and MRI scans.
Globally, universal health coverage (UHC) has played a transformative role in ensuring access to cancer care. Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system covers all cancer treatments, ensuring that financial constraints do not determine survival. Similarly, in the UK, the NHS has invested over £200 million in cancer care, significantly reducing patient costs and improving survival rates.
To bridge this gap, Nigeria must expand the NHIS to provide full coverage for cancer treatment, ensuring that essential diagnostics, chemotherapy, and surgery are fully subsidised. Establishing a Catastrophic Health Insurance Fund, similar to models in Thailand and the Philippines, would protect vulnerable patients from financial ruin while enabling equitable access to life-saving treatment.
Global Context and the Urgency for Reform
The cancer crisis in Africa is accelerating, with 1.18 million new cases and over 763,843 deaths reported in 2022. If no urgent intervention is made, cancer deaths on the continent are projected to rise by over 70% by 2040. While high-income countries like the United States (70% survival rate) and Canada (64% survival rate) have improved outcomes through early detection, robust healthcare investment, and advanced treatment options, Nigeria lags significantly behind with a five-year survival rate of only 25.6% for breast cancer.
Closing this gap requires a multi-faceted approach: significant investment in healthcare infrastructure, aggressive public education campaigns, expansion of financial support mechanisms, and stronger policy frameworks that ensure equitable access to care. By adopting global best practices, Nigeria can reposition itself to reduce cancer mortality, improve survival rates, and create a more resilient healthcare system.
Recommendations
Increase Funding for Cancer Treatment
Nigeria must prioritise increased funding for cancer treatment, including infrastructure, treatment centres, and innovative therapies. A dedicated Catastrophic Health Insurance Fund should be created with an initial allocation of N25 billion to ensure equitable access to treatment across the country. Public-private partnerships should also be encouraged to scale up cancer treatment facilities and research.
The National Health Service (NHS) has significantly boosted cancer funding in the United Kingdom, investing over £200 million in improving cancer care services. This funding has expanded early diagnosis programs, reduced treatment waiting times, and improved survival rates. Nigeria can adopt a similar approach, ensuring consistent and sustainable financing mechanisms for cancer treatment.
Expand Access to Screening and Prevention
Expanding nationwide cancer screening programs is essential to improving early detection and reducing mortality rates. The government should establish mobile cancer screening units to reach rural and underserved areas, while primary healthcare centres should be equipped with essential diagnostic tools. Additionally, HPV and hepatitis B vaccinations should be made universally available to prevent cervical and liver cancers.
Rwanda provides a strong model for cancer prevention. The country has implemented a nationwide cervical cancer screening program, ensuring that women in remote areas receive regular screenings. Supported by WHO and international partners, Rwanda has significantly reduced late-stage cervical cancer diagnoses. Nigeria can adopt a similar decentralised screening strategy to ensure early detection of breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.
Enhance Public Awareness and Education
NGOs and governments should launch a robust cancer awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on risk factors, prevention, and the importance of early screening. The campaign should leverage radio, television, and social media to address common misconceptions and encourage proactive healthcare-seeking behaviour.
In the United States, the American Cancer Society (ACS) runs highly effective awareness campaigns that have significantly improved public knowledge about cancer risks and early detection. By integrating cancer education into public health messaging and working with community influencers, Nigeria can ensure that awareness translates into action, leading to earlier diagnoses and better treatment outcomes.
Strengthen Health Insurance and Financial Support Mechanisms
Nigeria must expand the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover comprehensive cancer care, including screening, diagnostics, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. A financial support program should also be established to assist patients who cannot afford out-of-pocket expenses.
Canada’s universal health insurance system ensures that all citizens have access to cancer treatment without financial hardship. This model has significantly improved survival rates and equity in healthcare access. Nigeria can learn from Canada’s approach by expanding insurance coverage and introducing subsidies for vulnerable populations, reducing the financial burden of cancer treatment.
Conclusion
Nigeria is at a pivotal moment in its fight against cancer. The country can significantly improve cancer care outcomes by increasing funding, expanding screening programs, launching robust awareness campaigns, and strengthening financial support systems. Learning from successful global models, Nigeria can implement policies that ensure early detection, affordable treatment, and better survival rates for all citizens. The time to act is now.
Dr. Patience Ogbo
Senior Resident Fellow
Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership