The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Professor Usman Aliyu, has said the private sector remains critical to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare systems and reducing the country’s cancer burden.
Aliyu made the remarks in Abuja at a two day Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building Programme, where he called for stronger collaboration between government agencies and private healthcare providers in tackling cancer care gaps.
He noted that private investment in diagnostic infrastructure, treatment facilities and specialist training could significantly expand access to cancer screening and treatment, particularly in underserved regions of the country.
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The programme brought together stakeholders from across Nigeria’s health sector to discuss strategies for improving early detection, treatment access and public awareness around cancer, which remains a leading cause of non communicable disease deaths in the country.
Aliyu emphasised that public private partnerships would be essential to closing persistent gaps in Nigeria’s cancer care infrastructure, particularly given the high cost of specialised equipment and treatment protocols.
The institute is expected to continue engaging private sector partners in the coming months as part of its broader strategy to strengthen the national response to cancer care across Nigeria.
