Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has officially unveiled a nationwide campaign plan to eliminate cervical cancer, in a strategic partnership with a non-governmental organisation aimed at achieving the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2030 target for eradication.
Describing cervical cancer as a “silent killer” and the second most common cancer among Nigerian women, Senator Tinubu underscored the urgency of the initiative during a public unveiling of the campaign in Abuja.
“Cervical cancer strikes hardest at our most vulnerable women, yet it is preventable. This campaign represents a bold step in ensuring women of all ages are protected,” she said.
The initiative aligns closely with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises access to healthcare and wellbeing for all Nigerians.
“TOGETHER, WE MUST INVEST IN A FUTURE WHERE NO WOMAN DIES FROM A DISEASE THAT IS PREVENTABLE…FIRST LADY OLUREMI TINUBU
As she unveils partnership campaign to eliminate cervical cancerThe First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has unveiled a new campaign, Partnership to… pic.twitter.com/XJEI8FCd7z
— Busola Kukoyi (@KukoyiBusola) June 3, 2025
“We are building on real success. In 2024, Nigeria launched the national HPV vaccination programme, protecting over 12 million girls within nine months,” she noted.
This milestone was made possible through the combined efforts of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and global partners including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, and UNICEF.
The First Lady expressed deep gratitude to these development partners and called for continued collaboration across all levels of society.
“State and local governments, health professionals, schools, religious and traditional leaders – everyone has a role.
“We must form a strong coalition to reduce the prevalence of this preventable disease,” she urged.
She also emphasised the importance of community-based advocacy, increased funding, and public education to combat misinformation and stigma surrounding the disease and its vaccination.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, hailed the campaign as a crucial step towards eliminating cervical cancer in Nigeria, which continues to claim lives due to late diagnosis, low awareness, and limited access to treatment.
Dr Salako disclosed that over 40 million Nigerian girls have now received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, a key prevention strategy endorsed by WHO.
He commended the First Lady for her tireless advocacy, particularly through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which has contributed ₦1 billion towards cancer prevention and control efforts.
The National Taskforce for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, chaired by former Health Minister Prof. Isaac Adewole, continues to lead efforts to implement national strategies and expand vaccination and screening coverage.
With political will, partnerships, and continued public engagement, the First Lady reaffirmed her belief that cervical cancer can be eliminated in Nigeria by 2030.