“TOGETHER, WE MUST INVEST IN A FUTURE WHERE NO WOMAN DIES FROM A PREVENTABLE DISEASE” — FIRST LADY OLUREMI TINUBU

…As she unveils a partnership campaign to eliminate cervical cancer

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has unveiled a new initiative—Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCIN)—aimed at meeting the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) elimination target by 2030.

The First Lady noted that the campaign would help Nigeria put an end to the scourge of cervical cancer among women of all ages across the country.

“Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. In Nigeria, it is the second most common cancer after breast cancer. It is a silent killer, striking hardest at the most vulnerable women. Yet, this is a cancer that is preventable,” she stated.

“I am glad that this partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Health, which promotes the health and well-being of Nigerians—particularly by eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat for women across the nation. Nigeria has shown that it is possible to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.”

Senator Tinubu highlighted that in 2024, Nigeria achieved a major milestone by launching the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine nationally, protecting over 12 million girls within just nine months. This success, she said, was led by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, with support from global partners such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; WHO; and UNICEF.

“I thank all our partners for standing with us,” she added.

The First Lady urged stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to remain steadfast and form a strong coalition to reduce the high prevalence of the disease among women.

“Eliminating cervical cancer requires collaborative action. State and local governments, as well as healthcare professionals, must prioritize women’s health. Our schools and educational institutions must champion immunization. In addition, our religious and traditional leaders must advocate for truth and science. And yes—funding and significant resources are needed,” she emphasized.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, described the partnership as a critical step toward eliminating cervical cancer in Nigeria, which continues to claim the lives of many women due to ignorance, late presentation for care, and inadequate treatment infrastructure.

He revealed that, in recent months, over 40 million Nigerian girls have been vaccinated against HPV—the virus that causes cervical cancer.

The Minister commended the First Lady for her passionate and consistent support for the health and well-being of Nigerians, especially in cancer prevention and control. He noted that through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), she donated ₦1 billion to the cause.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the National Taskforce for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, led by Professor Isaac Adewole, which has been working diligently to fulfill its mandate.

“The taskforce has developed a concise policy brief, organized high-level advocacy visits, and mobilized whole-of-society support for the elimination of cervical cancer.”

“The Federal Government has also reconstituted and re-energised its Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group to improve the country’s capacity for cancer staging, treatment planning, response monitoring, and recurrence detection.”

“To reduce the financial burden of cancer treatment, the Federal Government continues to allocate resources to sustain the Cancer Health Fund.”

“With the commitment of the Federal Government, the support of partners, and the dedication of healthcare professionals, Nigeria can achieve the WHO’s 90-70-90 targets and make cervical cancer a rare disease in the country.”

He further stated that the new partnership would work to mobilize resources, raise awareness, and expand access to screening and treatment services for cervical cancer.

Various speakers at the event praised the Nigerian government and the First Lady for their unwavering commitment to scaling up awareness, detection, treatment, and prevention of cervical cancer.

Survivors of the disease shared powerful testimonies and encouraged other women to get screened and treated, noting that cervical cancer is both preventable and treatable. Students who had already received the HPV vaccine also urged their peers to get vaccinated.

SIGNED

Busola Kukoyi

Senior Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady of Nigeria

Tuesday, 3rd June 2025