FG Reconstitutes Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination, Appoints SSA to President as Chairperson

Nigeria’s fight against cervical cancer has received a major boost following a Federal Government review and overhaul of the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE) and Partnership for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN).

A new chairperson, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, and Vice Chairman, Prof. Imran Morhasson Bello, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ibadan; Lead, HPV Consortium, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, have also been appointed for the NTF-CCE.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government established the NTF-CCE in August 2024, and appointed the former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, as Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively.

The major task of the Task Force was simple: Coordinate national efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030.

Speaking at the review meeting, in Abuja, on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the objective of reconstituting the platform is to strengthen its technical capacity, institutional representation, accountability, coordination and operational effectiveness in delivering measurable results.

The meeting, according to him, provided an opportunity to “reflect on the remarkable progress recorded, consolidate our achievements, and reposition these important national platforms for greater effectiveness in accelerating Nigeria’s journey towards the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.”

The Minister commended Prof. Adewole and all members of the National Taskforce, the membership of PECCiN, and the Director-General and management of NICRAT for their dedication and invaluable contributions

Dr. Salako said: “Since its inauguration, the National Taskforce, working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and NICRAT, along with other strategic partners, has demonstrated commendable leadership and commitment towards translating our national cervical cancer elimination agenda into concrete actions.”

He enumerated some achievements of the Task Force to include: “The successful high-level advocacy visits to Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, which secured critical leadership and financial support and strengthened national visibility for the cervical cancer elimination agenda.

“The constitution and official launching of the Partnership for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN), providing a strategic platform for multisectoral collaboration, resource mobilization, partnership coordination and sustained advocacy.

“The establishment of technical subcommittees to facilitate the operationalization of the National Strategic Plan for the Control and Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on HPV vaccination, screening, early diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.

“The development and dissemination of the National Guidelines on Cervical Cancer Screening, providing an important foundation for standardized, evidence-based and quality-assured screening services nationwide.

“The successful conduct of a series of technical workshops, stakeholder engagements and healthcare workforce capacity-building activities in preparation for the commencement of the National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme.

“The successful rollout of the National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme in Owerri, Imo State, marking a significant milestone in translating national policy and strategic commitments into accessible preventive healthcare services for Nigerian women.”

Dr. Salako acknowledged what he described as the exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment of Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, and the High-Level Advisory Committee on Cervical Cancer Elimination under her leadership.

“Her Excellency’s sustained advocacy and support have provided tremendous momentum towards cervical cancer elimination in particular, and the advancement of effective national cancer prevention and control in general,” he stressed.

He charged members of the newly reconstituted Task Force to build upon the progress achieved by accelerating the nationwide scale-up of cervical cancer screening, strengthening integration with HPV vaccination, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment of precancerous lesions and invasive cancers, and establishing sustainable financing and monitoring mechanisms.

The Minister assured that his Ministry “remains fully committed to providing the necessary policy direction, institutional support and enabling environment for NICRAT, the Taskforce, and all relevant stakeholders to successfully deliver on this national priority, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”

On his part, the Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, lamented that GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates indicate that Nigeria recorded 13,676 new cases and 7,093 deaths from the disease, underscoring the urgency of a more coordinated and sustained national response.

He commended members of the Taskforce, development partners, the PECCiN membership and other stakeholders for their dedication and valuable contributions to advancing this important national priority.

He disclosed that: “Since its establishment, the Taskforce has made important strides in strengthening national coordination, establishing thematic subcommittees, mobilising partnerships and resources, advancing national screening guidelines and developing the frameworks required to guide implementation.

“The establishment of PECCiN has further strengthened the platform for multisectoral collaboration, while reported resource commitments of ₦1.5 billion have reinforced the importance of domestic investment in this agenda.”

He applauded Prof. Adewole, for his leadership and commitment as Chairman of the National Taskforce, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, for his continued support for Nigeria’s cancer prevention and control priorities, and Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for her “advocacy and invaluable support for Nigeria’s cervical cancer elimination agenda.

Speaking on behalf of other members of the Task Force, the newly appointed chairperson, Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, commended the federal government for appointing and trusting them with such very important task.

She vowed that the committee will do everything within its powers to ensure that the federal government did not regret appointing them.

She applauded the previous leadership of the Task Force for the legacy of high performance they left and promised to improve on it.

High Level Advisory Body:

1. His Excellency, Prof. Isaac Adewole, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Canada, Senior Technical Adviser.
2. Her Excellency, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC); Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Senior Technical Adviser.
3. Prof. Sani A. Malami, Professor of Histopathology / Morbid Anatomy, Professor and Consultant in the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Senior Technical Adviser

Members of the reconstituted Task Force include:

1. Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, Chairperson.
2. Prof. Imran Morhasson Bello, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ibadan; Lead, HPV Consortium, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Vice Chairman.
3. Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, Director General/CEO NICRAT, Secretary
4. Dr. Usman Muhammad Waziri, Director Cancer Prevention and Control, NICRAT, NICRAT Focal Person.
5. Prof. Okechukwu Christian Ikpeze, President, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Member.
6. Dr. Yinka Olaniyan, President, Society of Colposcopy & Cervical Pathology, Member.
7. Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, Chair, Women in Healthcare, Member.
8. Dr. Lolade Adeyemi, Representative, FMoHSW, Member.
9. Prof. Mukhtar Gadaya, Public Health Specialist, Member.
10. Prof. Iman-Morhasson-Bello, Cervical Cancer Researcher, Member.
11. Dr. Rakiya Saidu, Gynaecologic Oncologist, Deputy Secretary.
12. Dr. Nwamaka Lasebikan, Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologist of Nigeria (ARCON), Member.
13. Prof. Imaobong Ekanem, Laboratory Services / QA Expert, Member
14. Chief (Mrs) Moji Makanjuola, MFR, Health Communication Specialist, Member.
15. Dr. Garba Rufai Ahmed, HPV Vaccination Expert (NPHCDA), Member
16. Dr. Kehinde Ololade, Senior Technical Adviser to Hon. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Member.
17. Dr. Nwokwu Uchechukwu Emmanuel, NCCP Coordinator FMoHSW, Member.