The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030 through expanded Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, wider screening services, strengthened treatment capacity and increased domestic investment in cancer prevention and control.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Adekunle Salako, gave the assurance while delivering the opening address at the International Webinar on Science and Policy Discourse, themed “Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination Towards the 2030 Agenda: Myth or Reality?” organised by the Nigerian Academy of Medicine (NAMed) in collaboration with the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE).

Salako said the Federal Government has placed cervical cancer elimination at the centre of the national health agenda in line with the World Health Organisation‘s 90-70-90 targets for HPV vaccination, screening and treatment.

He described cervical cancer as one of the most preventable yet deadliest cancers affecting Nigerian women, noting that the country records about 13,676 new cases annually, with most patients diagnosed at advanced stages.

Highlighting progress in HPV vaccination, the minister disclosed that the nationwide single-dose HPV immunisation programme, introduced in 2023, has reached more than 17 million girls aged between nine and 14 years.

According to him, the next priority is to consolidate the gains by expanding last-mile vaccine delivery through schools and community outreach programmes, particularly for out-of-school girls, while increasing national vaccination coverage to more than 80 per cent.

Salako acknowledged that screening and treatment remain the weakest links in Nigeria’s cervical cancer response.

He said the government is therefore expanding HPV-based screening services at the primary healthcare level, strengthening referral systems for the management of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer, and enhancing the capacity of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment to serve as a regional hub for diagnosis and treatment across the country’s geopolitical zones.

The minister disclosed that the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination is coordinating nationwide efforts involving government institutions and key stakeholders to ensure Nigeria achieves the 2030 elimination target.

He added that investments are also being made to strengthen health information systems for effective monitoring and evaluation of progress.

According to Salako, the country’s cervical cancer elimination programme is receiving support from the Renewed Hope Initiative, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Financing Facility, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other development partners.

He assured that the Federal Government would continue to increase domestic funding for cancer prevention and control to ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme.

Salako also highlighted Nigeria’s growing international leadership in cervical cancer elimination, including its co-leadership of the resolution establishing World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day and its recognition as one of the countries providing valuable lessons for other Commonwealth and African nations.