Chukwu Obinna 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria is shifting towards a prevention-first approach in cancer care, with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) announcing a new partnership with the Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC).
The talks, held in Abuja on Tuesday and led by CaPTC Founder Professor Folakemi Odedina, focused on strengthening cancer education, research, and clinical trials to improve patient outcomes nationwide.
“It is time we focused more on preventive than curative approaches in cancer education,” said Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry. “Prevention must be seen as a strategic tool to protect lives and reduce the burden of cancer in Nigeria.”
The collaboration will prioritise cancer-specific nutrition programmes, Africa-focused research to close evidence gaps, and expanded clinical trials to improve access to innovative treatments.
CaPTC, known internationally for addressing disparities in prostate cancer among Black men, hailed the partnership as a model for culturally relevant research and outreach.
The Ministry described the collaboration as a milestone under the Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging to embed prevention, research, and patient-centred care at the core of Nigeria’s cancer response.
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