The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has pledged to work towards eliminating cervical cancer in the country. The Chairman of the forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, pledged yesterday, in Abuja, during the inauguration of the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN).

The wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, unveiled the initiative at the State House.

PECCiN, an initiative of the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE), aims to accelerate Nigeria’s implementation of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 90-70-90 targets.

It focuses on multi-sectoral action for preventing, screening, and treating cervical cancer through sustained coordination, resource mobilisation, and scaling up service delivery.

Represented by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, the Kwara governor noted that despite being preventable and treatable, cervical cancer remained a leading cause of cancer deaths among Nigerian women, with nearly 100,000 new cases yearly.

He affirmed the governors’ commitment to fast-track policy adoption at the state level, allocate domestic funding, and strengthen primary healthcare systems to ensure equitable service delivery .

“The governors will also collaborate with partners to improve access to screening, vaccines, and education, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, hailed the First Lady’s leadership, emphasising Nigeria’s strong role in global cervical cancer efforts.
He said: “Since 2018, Nigeria has supported WHO’s call for elimination and co-led the establishment of World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day on November 17.

“Nearly 17 million girls have received the HPV vaccine, and screening services continue to expand nationwide.”