NICRAT Committed to Advancing Cancer Care, Prevention – Prof. Malami

The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, has reiterated the commitment of his Institute to advancing cancer prevention, research, early detection, treatment and access through evidence -based policies, strategic partnerships and innovative programme that are transforming cancer care in Nigeria.

He stated this while making a presentation titled: Reducing Africa’s cancer burden: Insight from the Nigeria Model, at the ongoing Best of ASCO Africa 2026 Conference, in Abuja.

He disclosed that the institute has trained about 140 early career scientists under its Strengthening Institutional Capacity in Cancer Research (SINCA) programme and awarded research grants to 24 researchers to strengthen local capacity.

He said the institute has also completed the first phase of Nigeria’s Cancer Genome Study, which, according to him, seeks to identify genetic mutations associated with common cancers among Nigerians and lay the foundation for precision medicine tailored to patients in the country.

Prof. Malami, therefore, charged participants to use the conference as a platform to exchange knowledge, foster partnerships and develop practical solutions that will accelerate progress towards equitable Cancer care across the African continent.

The conference is with the theme: ‘From Global Discovery to Local Discovery: Driving Africa to the cutting edge of cancer care.’