The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that cancer cases in sub-Saharan Africa will more than double by 2050, the highest projected increase among the organization’s six regions. Nigeria, a nation of 242 million people, currently operates with approximately 80 oncologists and 15 radiation centers. According to the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database, patients in Nigeria were responsible for more than 80% of cancer care costs out-of-pocket in 2022.
Dr. Basira Hanafi Lawal, a radiation oncologist in Abuja, stated that approximately 70% of her patients are diagnosed at stage 3 or 4. She attributed the rising case numbers to a growing elderly population and lifestyle factors such as increased alcohol and tobacco use. Lawal noted that while awareness campaigns have led to more early-stage diagnoses, many patients still face significant travel times and limited access to specialized facilities.
Patients and advocates report that financial and logistical barriers frequently interrupt treatment. Breast cancer survivor Titilayo reported that she had to personally source chemotherapy drugs from other states when her local hospital lacked supply. Abigail Simon-Hart, a survivor and WHO report reviewer, stated that many health insurance plans in Nigeria do not cover comprehensive cancer care, leading families to rely on bank loans or crowdfunding to pay for surgeries and medication.
Ethel Olomu, a survivor from Rivers State, stated that patient outcomes are often dictated by systemic limitations rather than the severity of the disease. Advocates also noted that social stigma regarding terminal illness sometimes leads to a lack of family support for those undergoing long-term treatment.