In a landmark demonstration of commitment to women’s health, the First Lady of Nigeria has announced a substantial donation of One Billion Naira towards efforts aimed at combating cervical cancer across the country. The generous contribution represents one of the largest single donations ever made toward tackling this deadly disease in Nigeria.
The announcement came during a high-profile event focused on women’s health initiatives held at the Presidential Villa, where the First Lady emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive action against a disease that claims thousands of Nigerian women’s lives annually despite being largely preventable.
“This contribution reflects my personal commitment and that of my office to ensure that no woman should die from a disease we can prevent and treat if detected early,” the First Lady stated while unveiling the initiative to an audience of health experts, government officials, and civil society representatives.
According to details provided to KIIN360, the funds will be channeled through a specially established foundation that will focus on three critical areas: mass awareness campaigns in rural communities, establishment of screening centers in underserved regions, and subsidized treatment for women already diagnosed with the disease.
The Ministry of Health representative present at the event described the donation as “transformative” for the national cervical cancer control program. “With these resources, we can significantly scale up our intervention efforts, particularly in hard-to-reach communities where women have limited access to preventive healthcare services,” the official explained.
Medical experts have consistently identified cervical cancer as a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with recent statistics indicating that approximately 12,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, resulting in over 8,000 deaths – one of the highest mortality rates for the disease globally.
Dr. Aminat Bello, an oncologist and consultant to the new initiative, highlighted the potential impact of the First Lady’s intervention. “Early detection through regular screening can reduce mortality rates by up to 80 percent. This funding will help establish sustainable screening programs that could save thousands of lives across the country,” she emphasized.
Community health advocates have welcomed the donation while stressing the importance of ensuring transparent and effective utilization of the funds. “This significant financial commitment must translate to tangible improvements in preventive care and treatment accessibility for ordinary Nigerian women,” noted a prominent women’s health campaigner.
The initiative aligns with global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer, which the World Health Organization has identified as an achievable goal through vaccination, screening, and treatment. Nigeria’s high burden of the disease has been attributed to limited awareness, inadequate screening facilities, and the prohibitive cost of treatment for many affected women.
As implementation plans take shape, the First Lady’s office has promised regular updates on the disbursement and utilization of the funds, with measurable targets set for vaccination coverage, screening rates, and treatment access over the next three years.
