Oluremi Tinubu launches national partnership to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030

By Kunle Sanni

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has launched the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCIN), a national campaign aimed at eradicating the disease by 2030 in line with World Health Organization (WHO) goals.

Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, Senator Tinubu called for urgent investment in women’s health, stressing the preventable nature of cervical cancer, which she described as a “silent killer” and the second most common cancer among Nigerian women.

She highlighted the success of Nigeria’s recent rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which has reached over 12 million girls in nine months. The campaign was made possible through collaboration with Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation.

The First Lady said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes eliminating preventable diseases and improving healthcare access, especially for women and children.

She urged state and local governments, health workers, schools, and community leaders to promote awareness, screening, and vaccination, noting that collaborative action and sustainable funding are essential to success.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, commended the First Lady’s advocacy and disclosed that over 40 million Nigerian girls have been vaccinated against HPV so far.

He also announced ongoing government efforts to improve cancer detection and treatment, including strengthening cancer infrastructure and continued support for the Cancer Health Fund to ease the burden on patients.

Speakers at the event, including survivors and students, shared powerful testimonies, emphasizing the importance of early detection and urging young girls to take advantage of the free HPV vaccine.