The Nigerian government has acknowledged that Nigeria is yet to take full advantage of nuclear medicine in diagnosing and treating cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, made this known on Friday in Abeokuta, during a workshop organised by the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group for the development of Nigeria’s National Nuclear Medicine Guidelines and Policy.
Dr Salako highlighted the increasing burden of cancer in Nigeria and emphasised the need for a multi-faceted response.
“We are deeply concerned about the rising cancer burden. Between 60 and 70 percent of Nigerians personally know someone affected by cancer,” he said.
“To address this, we are implementing programmes focused on prevention, treatment, and control, including the ongoing construction of six Centres of Excellence for Cancer Care across the six geopolitical zones.”
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However, he pointed out that nuclear medicine, a critical tool in cancer management globally, remains underutilised in Nigeria.
“Despite Nigeria’s strong human capital and collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency, we have yet to fully explore the potential of nuclear medicine for both diagnosis and treatment.”
He noted that early cancer detection, including screening for precancerous conditions, is essential for reducing mortality, and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the newly formed technical working group.
In February 2025, the ministry inaugurated the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group, comprising leading experts in the field, to chart a strategic direction for deploying nuclear medicine technologies nationwide.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Group, Dr Kehinde Ololade, explained that the committee was tasked with formulating national guidelines and policies to facilitate the integration of nuclear medicine into the healthcare system.
In her contribution, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, stressed that nuclear medicine represents a transformative opportunity to reduce cancer-related deaths.
“We can no longer afford to ignore cancer. Exploring nuclear medicine is not optional—it is critical to lowering cancer morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.”