The Federal Government has launched the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN), a sweeping initiative aimed at achieving the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 90-70-90 targets for cervical cancer elimination.
The programme was officially unveiled on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, under the leadership of the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE).
Speaking at the launch, Professor Isaac Adewole, NTF-CCE Chairman and former Minister of Health, said the total cost of eliminating cervical cancer in Nigeria between 2026 and 2030 is estimated at N2.2 trillion. He outlined the plan’s three key components:
- Primary prevention via HPV vaccination,
- Secondary prevention through screening, and
- Tertiary care for women with invasive cervical cancer.
“We seek your commitment and support to implement robust cervical cancer elimination interventions in Nigeria,” Adewole said. “This will ensure that every woman is financially protected, and no adolescent girl is left behind.”
According to Adewole, the HPV vaccination component alone will cost N426.28 billion, including administrative and oversight expenses. The screening programme, targeting 14.4 million women, will require about N351 billion, while tertiary treatment for nearly 300,000 women is projected to cost N1.42 trillion—with the cost per patient expected to fall from N8.7 million in 2026 to N4.1 million by 2030.
Despite economic constraints and competing national priorities, Adewole described cervical cancer elimination as a high-yield investment for Nigeria’s health sector and urged stakeholders to act with urgency.
In his remarks, Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), hailed the progress made since the HPV vaccine campaign was launched on October 24, 2023.
“To date, over 14 million girls have been vaccinated an unprecedented milestone globally,” Aina said.
He credited the achievement to strong leadership from President Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and collaborative efforts from ministries, agencies, and communities across Nigeria.
Aina confirmed that the HPV vaccine is now part of Nigeria’s routine immunisation schedule, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to quality care through the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres.