First Lady Launches National Campaign to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria

1 day ago 2

---- June 4, 2025 9:08 AM 2 min read

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched a nationwide initiative aimed at eliminating cervical cancer among Nigerian women, describing the disease as a preventable yet deadly scourge that disproportionately affects the country’s most vulnerable populations.

Speaking in Abuja during the unveiling of the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCIN), Senator Tinubu said no woman in Nigeria should have to die from cervical cancer, a disease that is both preventable and treatable if detected early. The campaign aligns with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) target to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2030.

“Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, but in Nigeria, it ranks second only to breast cancer,” the First Lady said. “It is a silent killer that strikes hardest at the most vulnerable. Yet, it is entirely preventable.”

PECCIN aims to increase awareness, expand access to screening and treatment services, and mobilize funding to support intervention programs nationwide. The First Lady emphasized that the initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritizes the health and well-being of Nigerians.

Senator Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s progress in combating the disease. In 2024, the country launched a national rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, successfully reaching over 12 million girls in just nine months—a milestone she credited to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and international partners including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Gates Foundation, WHO, and UNICEF.

She noted that under her husband’s administration, efforts to reduce the financial burden of cancer treatment have been sustained through continued funding of the Cancer Health Fund.

“With support from the Federal Government, our global partners, and the tireless dedication of our healthcare professionals, Nigeria can meet the WHO’s 90-70-90 targets and make cervical cancer a rare disease in our country,” she stated.

The PECCIN campaign will focus on mobilizing resources, expanding public education, and improving access to life-saving prevention tools such as HPV vaccines and regular screenings.