Federal Government expands cancer treatment funding and boosts local drug production
via Punch Nigeria11 min read
The Federal Government has increased financial support for cancer patients through health funds and insurance, while also investing in local research, drug production, and clinical trials to improve access to affordable cancer care. This was announced by Prof Usman Malami, Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, at the Best of American Society of Clinical Oncology Africa 2026 conference in Abuja. Initiatives include the Catastrophic Health Fund under the National Health Insurance Authority, which subsidizes cancer prevention, diagnosis, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and the National Cancer Health Fund managed by NICRAT for indigent patients. The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain aims to accelerate local production of cancer medicines to reduce reliance on imports. Dr. Lolade Adewale, Special Adviser on Research and Innovation to the Minister of State for Health, noted that Nigeria has begun three immunotherapy clinical studies, making advanced cancer medicines like Nivolumab and Keytruda available free of charge through trials. Dr. Miriam Mutebi, Immediate Past President of AORTIC, highlighted Africa's low contribution to global cancer research despite its significant disease burden, urging increased domestic investment. Dr. Julie Gralow, Chief Medical Officer of ASCO, emphasized the need to adapt global scientific advances to African settings and address affordability. Dr. Abiola Ibraheem, AORTIC Vice-Pre
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The Nigerian Presidency has criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde's demand for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of 39 pupils and six teachers in Oyo State, labeling it unnecessary and politically motivated. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated that the governor's request suggests a lack of confidence in Nigeria's security institutions, despite explanations already provided by the military and other security agencies regarding the rescue operation. Onanuga questioned the basis for Makinde's demand, arguing that security agencies would not deliberately subject Nigerians to prolonged captivity, especially given that some security personnel lost their lives during the rescue. He accused Makinde, a presidential aspirant, of allowing political considerations to influence his call for an international probe. Governor Makinde, however, maintained that the call for international scrutiny was aimed at ensuring accountability and reinforcing public confidence, not discrediting Nigerian institutions. He emphasized that Nigerians deserve a full and transparent account of the incident. The rescued victims, including the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, recounted their ordeal, including the killing of a mathematics teacher by the abductors. The General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, detailed the complex rescue operation, which inv
Must ReadNigeria's failure to qualify for a second consecutive FIFA World Cup has led to increased calls for a leadership change within the Nigeria Football Federation NFF. Football stakeholders are urging the current board to take responsibility and step down ahead of the federation's next electoral cycle. Former Nigeria international Abiodun Obafemi supports an overhaul to restore stability to Nigerian football, stating that the country cannot continue with the status quo. Former Green Eagles captain Segun Odegbami attributes the Super Eagles' absence from the tournament to deep-rooted administrative problems rather than a lack of talent, emphasizing that those in charge must accept responsibility for the decline. He also noted the lack of enthusiasm in Nigeria during the ongoing World Cup as a reflection of this disappointment. Calls for accountability have gained momentum, with some fans on social media demanding action from the NFF leadership. However, National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade insists that any change at the NFF must occur through democratic means, not public pressure. Olopade also rejected the idea that the current leadership is solely to blame for the back-to-back World Cup failures, attributing the first missed qualification to the previous administration led by Amaju Pinnick and highlighting the current board's performance in other tournaments as evidence of progress.
The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority are in a dispute over the sharing formula for the five percent Ticket Sales Charge. A proposal before the National Assembly seeks to increase NAMA's share, leading to concerns from NCAA labor unions that this could weaken safety oversight. However, industry experts argue that NAMA, responsible for operating Nigeria's aviation infrastructure 24/7, carries a significant operational burden. NAMA's responsibilities include maintaining sophisticated Communication, Navigation and Surveillance technologies, which require substantial capital investment and continuous maintenance, often in remote areas with unreliable electricity. Retired pilot Mohammed Badamosi highlighted NAMA's larger workforce and extensive equipment maintenance across the country, contrasting it with NCAA's smaller regional offices. Currently, NCAA receives about 56 percent of the Ticket Sales Charge, while NAMA receives 23 percent. The Joint Action Committee of the NCAA suggests commercializing or partially privatizing NAMA as a more sustainable funding solution. However, proponents of the bill argue that stronger statutory funding is immediately needed. Former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu, called for a rational review of the revenue-sharing formula based on objective parameters like personnel strength, operational spread, and infrastructure ownership, rather than sentiments or