Medical experts and health advocates have reiterated the urgent need for a national policy on brain health, calling on the Nigerian government to prioritise brain tumour care through increased funding, improved access to treatment, and sustained public education.
The call was made at a press conference held on Tuesday in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 World Brain Tumour Day. The event was organised by the Brain and Spine Foundation Africa in collaboration with the National Hospital.
Dr Mansur Idris, Head Consultant Neurosurgeon at the National Hospital, highlighted that brain tumours account for up to 25 percent of all neurosurgical cases in Nigeria. Represented by neurosurgeon Dr Uthman Uthman, he delivered a keynote address titled “Hope Amid Tumour: Advances in Care and Survivorship”.
He noted that low awareness and cultural misconceptions meant that many Nigerians failed to recognise the early warning signs of brain tumours.
“Seizures or behavioural changes are often mistaken for spiritual attacks. Some cases are only discovered incidentally during scans for unrelated conditions,” he explained.
While emphasising that not all brain tumours are cancerous, Dr Idris warned that even benign growths could become life-threatening if left untreated.
He added that essential diagnostic tools such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and PET scans remain inaccessible for the majority due to high costs or limited availability.
He praised the development of facilities like the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja but stressed that advanced services were still beyond the financial reach of many patients.
“Treatment involves a multi-disciplinary approach—neurosurgery, radiology, pathology, oncology, and often lifelong follow-up. Without financial support, patients and their families are left overwhelmed,” he said.
Dr Idris urged the government to replicate financing models used in cancer care for brain tumour patients and advocated for the inclusion of brain health in Nigeria’s national health agenda.
Ms Chika Okwuolisa, Executive Director of Brain and Spine Foundation Africa, described brain tumours as a “silent national crisis” requiring immediate intervention.
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“Brain health has long been relegated to the background. It is time to bring it to the centre of health discourse in Nigeria. Without information, patients are disempowered, and caregivers are helpless,” she stated.
Drawing on her personal experience supporting a sibling diagnosed with a brain tumour, Okwuolisa said her family had to publicly seek funds to begin treatment.
“I have lived through the nightmare. That is why I say brain health should not be a private struggle. It is a public health issue,” she said.
She also announced that the upcoming African Neurological Health Summit would continue advocacy efforts to elevate brain health in Africa’s policy agenda.
Retired General Maurice Ezeoke, former President of the International College of Surgeons, highlighted the high cost of treatment as a major barrier to care.
He called for government subsidies and the inclusion of brain tumour treatment in the national health insurance scheme.
Mrs Ekeinyi Adedayo, a senior oncology nurse at the National Hospital, urged Nigerians to take note of symptoms such as persistent headaches, vision changes, and seizures, stressing that early diagnosis significantly improves survival chances.
“Regular check-ups and early medical attention can make all the difference. Brain health must be prioritised,” Adedayo said.
The event featured emotional testimonies from survivors and caregivers, including Ms Stephanie Acka, whose sister was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2021.
Acka revealed that her family raised over ₦10 million through public donations for surgery abroad, but the financial burden persists, with monthly medication costs reaching ₦1.2 million.
“I have had to beg just to keep my sister alive. We need government support to reduce this suffering,” she said.
World Brain Tumour Day, observed globally on 8 June, serves not only as a day of remembrance but also as a call to action to address one of the most overlooked but devastating health challenges worldwide.
The theme for the 2025 commemoration is “Fighting Brain Cancer Together”, underscoring a collective push for equitable brain care, research, and survivorship across the globe.