The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a major expansion of the country's cancer treatment infrastructure, with plans to procure additional linear accelerators — the machines used in radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue — between 2027 and 2029.

Speaking in Abuja at the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) Technical Working Group and Global Advisory Council meeting, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had personally approved the procurement as part of a three-year rollout plan.

"We are executing a three-year plan to achieve this," Salako told stakeholders.

Note: Media reports on the exact number of machines have varied — several outlets cite 25 additional linear accelerators, while others, including a Ministry press statement, put the figure at 35. Both figures trace back to the same announcement, so readers should treat the precise number as still being clarified by official channels.

Key Highlights

Radiotherapy Expansion: The new linear accelerators will significantly increase Nigeria's capacity to treat cancer patients who currently face long waits or must travel abroad for radiotherapy.

Cancer Centres of Excellence:

Construction is underway on six Cancer Centres of Excellence nationwide — three have already been completed, with work continuing on the remaining three.

National Cancer Control Plan (2026–2030): The initiative sits within a broader strategy focused on prevention, early detection, treatment, research, and partnerships.

Prevention First: The government highlighted the rollout of routine HPV vaccination as part of the national immunization schedule, alongside efforts to expand hepatitis vaccination and cervical cancer screening at primary healthcare facilities.

Blood Cancer Consortium: Salako also inaugurated a new Blood Cancer Consortium, following equipment donations aimed at strengthening pathology laboratories across the country.

Why It Matters

Nigeria's cancer burden remains significant, with many patients presenting late for treatment due to gaps in infrastructure, skilled personnel, and funding. Radiotherapy machines like linear accelerators are costly and scarce nationwide, forcing many patients into long queues or costly overseas treatment. This planned expansion — alongside the new treatment centres — marks one of the most substantial investments in Nigeria's oncology infrastructure in recent years.

The procurement plan spans 2027–2029, meaning patients won't see new machines immediately, but the announcement signals a multi-year commitment to closing Nigeria's radiotherapy gap. Stakeholders will be watching for:

Official confirmation of the final number of machines (25 vs. 35)

Timelines for machine delivery and installation

Completion of the remaining Cancer Centres of Excellence

Progress on prevention programs, including HPV and hepatitis vaccination expansion