The recent deaths of Nollywood actors Alexx Ekubo and Taiwo Hassan, also known as Ogogo, from cancer have raised concerns about the increasing number of cancer cases in Nigeria. Ekubo died at 40 from complications related to advanced metastatic kidney cancer, while Hassan died at 66 from stage-four cancer. Their deaths have highlighted the need for improved cancer diagnosis and treatment in the country.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer's GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates, Nigeria recorded 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 cancer deaths in 2022. Breast cancer accounted for the largest number of new cases, followed by prostate and cervical cancers. However, experts say that these figures are estimates and may not accurately reflect the true extent of the problem.
One of the major challenges in addressing cancer in Nigeria is the country's inadequate capacity to monitor and track the disease. Cancer registries are essential for understanding the distribution of disease across populations and how it changes over time. However, Nigeria's cancer registries are still in development, and the country lacks a comprehensive surveillance system to track cancer cases.
Clinical oncologist Dr. Omolola Salako has expressed concerns about the increasing number of cancer cases among Nigerians aged between 18 and 39. Younger patients often fall below the age at which routine cancer screening is recommended, making it harder to detect the disease early. Salako's concerns highlight the need for improved cancer screening and diagnosis in the country.
Environmental factors, such as exposure to pollutants and toxins, may also be contributing to the increasing number of cancer cases in Nigeria. A 2025 systematic review published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis found that aflatoxins and fumonisins were prevalent in Nigerian maize samples, which could increase the risk of liver cancer. Additionally, a systematic review published in Food Science & Nutrition found that many Nigerian foods were contaminated with microbial hazards, heavy metals, and pesticides.
The Nigerian government has taken steps to address the issue of cancer, including the development of the National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, which addresses prevention, screening, early detection, treatment, research, and cancer surveillance. Eight preventive oncology clinics are now operational in federal tertiary institutions. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem and improve cancer diagnosis and treatment in the country.
Key points
- Nigeria recorded 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 cancer deaths in 2022.
- The country's capacity to monitor and track cancer is inadequate, making it hard to determine the true extent of the problem.
- Environmental factors, such as exposure to pollutants and toxins, may be contributing to the increasing number of cancer cases in Nigeria.
