FG Launches Aggressive Cervical Cancer Screening Drive, Targets 10,000 Women in Imo

OWERRI, Nigeria – Nigeria’s push to curb rising cancer deaths gathered pace on Wednesday as President Bola Tinubu’s administration launched a nationwide cervical cancer screening programme in Owerri, with an initial target of screening 10,000 women in Imo State.

Unveiling the initiative, Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, said the programme signals a decisive shift toward prioritising women’s health as a national development issue.

“This reflects a commitment to treat the lives of Nigerian women as a national priority,” he said.

The intervention is anchored by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, established in 2023 to institutionalise cancer control, alongside the newly launched National Strategic Cervical Cancer Control Plan (2026–2030).

Director-General of NICRAT, Usman Aliyu, said the rollout is aligned with the World Health Organization 90-70-90 global elimination strategy.

“Late presentation remains far too common due to gaps in awareness and access,” he warned.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, urged women to embrace screening and vaccination, stressing that “the vaccine is free and safe.”

Nigeria recorded about 13,676 new cervical cancer cases in 2023, underscoring the urgency of the intervention.

About the Author

Mirian Gom

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Gom Mirian AHR Senior Correspondent, has over 8 years’ experience reporting on health, crime, education, investigations, and development issues across Nigeria and Africa. With dual degrees in Economics, she combines analytical skill with compelling storytelling. Widely recognised for her public health and humanitarian reporting, she earned a Nestlé Award nomination for compelling human-interest journalism. Follow her on Twitter @mirian_linus.

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