16 States lack oncologists, patients with cancer left in limbo – experts

At least 16 states in Nigeria do not currently have clinical radiation or oncologists, a development doctor has described as alarming and dangerous for the already fragile system of cancer assistance in the country.

The revelation was made by the president of Nigeria Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Ombonisi, during the inaugural conference of advanced prostate science (Soapca) held in Lagos.

Omonisi said that the absence of specialists in many states has worsened the late presentation and poor survival results, warning that the few oncologists available are too tense.

“While we are talking now, there are 16 states in Nigeria without individual radiation or clinical oncologists. And you cannot speak of cancer care without them.

“They are those who know drugs, who direct radiotherapy, who guide the treatment. Can you imagine? Sixteen states without one?” He asked.

He mentioned Gombe and Maiduguri as examples in which a single oncologist goes out between the two states, sometimes working from morning to 22:00

“In the meantime, only Lagos has almost 50 percent of all oncologists in the country. The imbalance is dangerous,” he said.

The cancer expert complained that many Nigerians, including political leaders, only discover their conditions in the advanced phases. He recalled that a governor in the service was diagnosed when his prostate cancer had already spread.

Despite the efforts of the federal government to establish cancer centers and a fund for national cancer, Ombonisi said that support is seriously inadequate.

“In the federal budget of 2025, only ₦ 150 million were put aside for the treatment of cancer through breast, cervical and prostate tumors. This is shamefully small compared to the burden,” he said, urging the national assembly to give priority to cancer in the 2026 budget.

Also speaking, the professor of Hematology and Oncology of the Mayo Clinic, Prof. Folakemi Odedina, warned that black men are at greater risk of prostate cancer globally but remain underpred to clinical studies.

“Most of the prostate tumors we see in Nigeria and throughout Africa are in very late phases. What is even more frightening is that simply being a man of color is itself a risk factor.

Add family history and age and risks multiply, “he explained, underlining the need for research and clinical studies focused on Africa.

Experts of Cameroon, Kenya and other African countries have also shared similar experiences of late presentation, lack of inadequate structures and research tailored to African populations.

The general manager of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (Nicrat) of Nigeria, Prof. Usman Malami, has promised a continuous collaboration to improve access to innovative treatments.

Representing the Minister of State for Health, the special councilor Kehinde Ololade said that three new cancer centers were commissioned to Enugu, Benin and Katsina and that the support fund for patients with 1 million ₦ ₦ cancer was supported.

The conference, hosted by the transferentlantic consortium of prostate cancer (Captc), ended with a request for urgent political reforms, an expanded research and an increase in funding to fill the gap to care for Cancer of Africa.

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