National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Uche Nwokwu.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has welcomed the release of the Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer Workforce: A Global Crisis, describing the report as a critical wake-up call for countries to urgently strengthen cancer care systems and invest in the healthcare professionals needed to combat the growing global cancer burden.
The report, unveiled during the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, warns of a looming global shortage of cancer care workers and projects a staggering deficit of nearly 100 million cancer workforce personnel by 2050 as cancer incidence continues to rise worldwide.
According to the Federal Government, the findings mirror many of the challenges currently confronting Nigeria and other African nations, including delayed diagnosis, late presentation of cancer cases, inadequate specialist capacity, and overstretched oncology teams struggling to meet growing demand.
Nigeria’s Cancer Workforce Challenge Reflects Global Trends
In a statement issued in Abuja, Dr. Uche Nwokwu, National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), said the Lancet report validates concerns that have long been evident across Africa’s healthcare systems.
He noted that while cancer cases continue to increase, many countries are struggling with severe shortages of oncologists, oncology nurses, pathologists, radiographers, radiotherapy professionals, imaging specialists, palliative care providers, and other critical members of multidisciplinary cancer care teams.
“The report reinforces the need for countries to move beyond planning and accelerate measurable actions that strengthen cancer workforce capacity and improve patient outcomes,” Nwokwu stated.
The NCCP coordinator emphasized that Nigeria’s recently launched National Cancer Control Plan 2026-2030 already provides a strategic framework for addressing the country’s oncology workforce challenges through targeted investments, training, coordination, and system strengthening initiatives.
Cancer Care Depends on People, Not Just Infrastructure
One of the strongest messages emerging from the Lancet Commission is that cancer control cannot be achieved through infrastructure investments alone.
While many countries have focused on building treatment centers and acquiring equipment, experts argue that the absence of adequately trained personnel continues to undermine access to timely, effective, and equitable cancer care.
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, Chief Executive Officer of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and President-Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), welcomed the commission’s inauguration, describing it as both timely and necessary.
According to her, the global cancer workforce remains the determining factor in whether patients receive early diagnosis, effective treatment, and compassionate support throughout their care journey.
“Around the world, and especially across low- and middle-income countries, the cancer workforce is central to whether patients are diagnosed early, treated effectively, and supported with dignity throughout their care,” she said.
Shinkafi-Bagudu stressed that for Nigeria and Africa, the report strengthens the case for deliberate investment in healthcare professionals across every stage of the cancer continuum, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and palliative care.
“We must build, retain, and support the multidisciplinary teams needed to deliver equitable cancer care,” she added.
Experts Warn of Growing Pressure on Nigeria’s Oncology Workforce
The report’s findings have also resonated strongly among Nigerian cancer specialists who confront the realities of workforce shortages daily.
Prof. Folakemi Odedina, Chair of the National Cancer Control Programme Technical Working Group (NCCP-TWG), described the commission’s launch as highly significant for Nigeria’s cancer control agenda.
She noted that efforts are already underway to improve planning, workforce development, coordination, and implementation mechanisms aimed at closing existing gaps.
“The inauguration of this commission comes at a critical time for Nigeria,” Odedina said.
“Through the NCCP-TWG, we are taking important steps to address the cancer workforce gap by strengthening planning, coordination, training priorities, and implementation pathways.”
She, however, cautioned that meaningful progress would require long-term commitment from government institutions, professional associations, universities, development partners, and healthcare providers.
Cancer Workforce Shortage Threatens Patient Outcomes Across Africa
Dr. Nwamaka Lasebikan of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, and a co-author of the commission report, said the workforce crisis is particularly acute across Africa.
According to her, the report reflects realities already visible in many African countries, where increasing cancer cases continue to outpace available human resources and treatment capacity.
“For Nigeria and many African countries, this commission is not an abstract global warning,” Lasebikan said.
“It reflects the reality we see every day: rising cancer burden, late presentation, limited diagnostic and treatment capacity, and a workforce stretched far beyond what is sustainable.”
She stressed that improving cancer outcomes would require comprehensive investment in workforce planning, specialist training, staff retention, digital innovation, task-sharing models, and stronger health systems.
“The cancer workforce is not a support structure for cancer care; it is the foundation on which timely, equitable, and high-quality cancer care depends,” she added.
Digital Health, AI and Sustainable Financing Identified as Key Solutions
The Lancet Oncology Commission recommends coordinated global action to strengthen cancer workforce registries, expand oncology education programmes, and improve retention of healthcare professionals.
The report also highlights the growing role of:
- Digital health technologies
- Artificial intelligence in cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Telemedicine and remote specialist support
- Task-sharing approaches
- Sustainable healthcare financing models
- Data-driven cancer workforce planning
Experts believe these innovations could help bridge workforce shortages while improving access to cancer care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where specialist resources remain limited.
A Call to Action for Nigeria and the Global Cancer Community
As cancer rates continue to rise globally, the Federal Government says the Lancet Commission should serve as both a warning and an opportunity.
Nwokwu noted that strengthening cancer care requires more than equipment and facilities; it demands investments in people, governance systems, data infrastructure, financing mechanisms, and long-term workforce development.
The unveiling of the commission, he said, represents a significant call to action for governments, healthcare institutions, development partners, and the international cancer community.
For Nigeria, it also reinforces the urgency of implementing the National Cancer Control Plan 2026-2030 and accelerating efforts to build a resilient, adequately trained, and sustainable oncology workforce capable of meeting the country’s growing cancer care needs.
As policymakers and healthcare leaders confront the challenge, one message from the Lancet report stands out clearly: the future of cancer control will depend not only on medical breakthroughs and infrastructure, but on the people who deliver care. Without a strong cancer workforce, the fight against cancer cannot be won.
