The National Cancer Intervention Fund (NCIF) has embarked on a series of high-level strategic engagements and planning sessions aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s cancer care financing and service delivery architecture. Since its inauguration, the NCIF Governing Council, led by its Chairman, Dr. Gafar Alawode, has engaged key institutions and stakeholders to build the partnerships required to ensure sustainable funding, improved access, and better outcomes for cancer patients nationwide.

In an early engagement, the NCIF Governing Council paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT). The maiden visit served to introduce the Council’s mandate, strengthen collaboration, and align operational principles with the government’s ongoing efforts in cancer prevention, treatment, and research. While NICRAT has demonstrated strong leadership in advancing cancer care, persistent financial, infrastructural, and operational challenges continue to hinder the full operationalization of its mandate. The NCIF reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing, managing, and transparently disbursing funds to support NICRAT’s work through diversified funding sources and digital accountability tools.

The Council also visited the National Hospital, Abuja, one of Nigeria’s foremost cancer treatment centers where members received firsthand insights into the realities of cancer care delivery. Discussions focused on the utilization of the Cancer Health Fund (CHF), gaps in infrastructure, workforce shortages, high treatment costs, and the limited availability of essential drugs. Stakeholders highlighted the need for decentralization, improved local drug production, strengthened human resources, and enhanced advocacy and data systems. These insights, the Council noted, will directly shape NCIF’s strategic direction and operational planning.

Further deepening its stakeholder engagements, the NCIF paid a visit to MEDSERVE, the healthcare investment arm of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). MEDSERVE’s ongoing investments such as the Lagos Cancer Centre and other regional centers under development have significantly advanced cancer infrastructure and contributed to training oncology specialists across the country. Both organizations agreed on the importance of aligning infrastructural development with financing mechanisms, including National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) coverage, to ensure affordability, equity, and sustainability of expanded cancer services.

The momentum built through these engagements culminated in NCIF’s inaugural two-day strategic retreat hosted by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in Abuja. The landmark event brought together key players from the cancer ecosystem, including representatives from government agencies, development partners, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Participants discussed the cancer burden in Nigeria, assessed existing financing gaps, and identified opportunities for improved coordination, resource mobilization, and impact-driven investments.

The retreat emphasized the need for a coordinated national approach to cancer financing, noting that while progress has been made through the Cancer Health Fund, persistent gaps remain. The Council announced two ambitious state and local-level financing initiatives: the 100×37 Initiative, aimed at mobilizing at least ₦100 million annually from each state government, and the 10×774 Initiative, targeting ₦10 million annually from each local government area to support cancer care financing.

A resource utilization framework was also adopted, prioritizing early-stage cancers and ensuring that funds will support a full continuum of care from awareness and screening to treatment and patient support. Technology integration will be leveraged to enhance transparency, accountability, and effective fund deployment.

With plans to organize a donor and private-sector summit early next year, NCIF aims to galvanize broad-based support for sustainable cancer financing in Nigeria. The Council extended appreciation to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat and partners who contributed to the retreat, reaffirming its resolve to convert strategy into action.

As the NCIF continues its mission, the message remains clear: cancer care spending is catastrophic for most Nigerians—urgent, coordinated action is required now to ensure that no individual is denied care because of cost or circumstance.