Economy
Tinubu Government unveils health insurance for sickle cell, cancer patients
Tinubu Government unveils health insurance for sickle cell, cancer patients
Tinubu Government unveils health insurance for sickle cell, cancer patients. Mr Salako stressed that cancer care should not be limited to urban areas.
The federal government has announced the development of a comprehensive implementation plan for catastrophic health insurance to support patients with end-stage renal diseases, sickle cell disease, and cancers.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a ministerial media conference to mark World Cancer Day 2025.
This year’s global theme for World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4, is “United by Unique.”
Mr Salako explained that the government had developed the health insurance plan in line with the National Health Insurance Authority Act of 2022, with a focus on cancer care.
He said the health insurance would benefit from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and other funding mechanisms within the NHIA.
He added that the ministry was scaling up efforts to improve access to cancer care services in all federal tertiary hospitals for timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
Mr Salako stated, “Plans have been finalised to establish and upgrade six federal teaching hospitals across the country with new radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities. Three of these centres are set to be commissioned in May 2025, with the remaining three to be commissioned before World Cancer Day 2026.’’
He emphasised that the initiative would continue throughout the administration, with the goal of ensuring that by 2030, all regions of Nigeria would be equipped to treat all forms of cancer.
He added that the strategy aligned with the World Health Organisation’s global target of eliminating cervical cancer and other preventable cancers by 2030.
Mr Salako stressed that cancer care should not be limited to urban areas and announced that the federal government would incentivise states and local governments to participate more actively in cancer treatment.
The minister also inaugurated a newly constituted 35-member Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group (NM-TWG) to advise the ministry on developing and implementing nuclear medicine services in Nigeria.
He said this was part of strengthening the country’s collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international partners.
Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Usman Aliyu, outlined significant strides in implementing the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan (2023–2027).
The federal government has announced the development of a comprehensive implementation plan for catastrophic health insurance to support patients with end-stage renal diseases, sickle cell disease, and cancers.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a ministerial media conference to mark World Cancer Day 2025.
This year’s global theme for World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4, is “United by Unique.”
Mr Salako explained that the government had developed the health insurance plan in line with the National Health Insurance Authority Act of 2022, with a focus on cancer care.
He said the health insurance would benefit from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and other funding mechanisms within the NHIA.
He added that the ministry was scaling up efforts to improve access to cancer care services in all federal tertiary hospitals for timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
Mr Salako stated, “Plans have been finalised to establish and upgrade six federal teaching hospitals across the country with new radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities. Three of these centres are set to be commissioned in May 2025, with the remaining three to be commissioned before World Cancer Day 2026.’
He emphasised that the initiative would continue throughout the administration, with the goal of ensuring that by 2030, all regions of Nigeria would be equipped to treat all forms of cancer.
He added that the strategy aligned with the World Health Organisation’s global target of eliminating cervical cancer and other preventable cancers by 2030.
Mr Salako stressed that cancer care should not be limited to urban areas and announced that the federal government would incentivise states and local governments to participate more actively in cancer treatment.
The minister also inaugurated a newly constituted 35-member Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group (NM-TWG) to advise the ministry on developing and implementing nuclear medicine services in Nigeria.
He said this was part of strengthening the country’s collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international partners.
Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Usman Aliyu, outlined significant strides in implementing the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan (2023–2027).
Mr Aliyu said, “These efforts include training healthcare workers in basic cancer prevention services across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and introducing preventive oncology clinical services starting in 2024. NICRAT is also focused on building research capacity in selected institutions and pioneering collaborative research in cancer genomics.
“This initiative will map genetic mutations of common cancers in Nigeria, laying the foundation for precision oncology care not just in Nigeria but across the black race.’’
However, President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Abidemi Omonisi, criticised the N150 million allocated to the Cancer Health Fund in the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
He noted that cancer treatment often costs between N15 million and N25 million, which many patients cannot afford.
Mr Omonisi also called for neglected cancers to be included in the CHF.
Tinubu
He further lamented the lack of involvement from many state governments in the fight against cancer.
He stressed that, while the federal government was making significant efforts, the states needed to do more for the initiative to have a real impact.
The Country Representative of WHO, Walter Mulombo, commented on the theme, emphasising that it highlighted the unique experience of every cancer patient and advocated a people-centred approach to cancer care.
Mr Mulombo stated, “This approach ensures that health systems focus not only on treating the disease but also on the needs and experiences of individuals, families, and communities.’’
World Cancer Day serves as an international observance to raise awareness about cancer and encourage prevention, early detection, and treatment.
The “United by Unique” campaign promotes a people-centred approach to cancer care, putting individuals and communities at the heart of health systems.
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.
Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.
EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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