By Els William
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has described the Federal Government’s Oncology Centre in Enugu as a world-class facility that underscores President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to delivering life-changing health infrastructure to Nigerians.
Idris stated this during a tour of the centre, leading a federal delegation to inspect the facility commissioned only weeks ago by the Ministers of Health and Finance. The centre is equipped with one of the most advanced cancer treatment machines in the world—technology that until now was only accessible abroad or in Lagos.
According to the minister, the establishment of the Enugu Oncology Centre represents the practical expression of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to make quality healthcare available to Nigerians irrespective of location or status. He added that six such cancer treatment centres are planned nationwide, with three already operational, signaling a decisive move to decentralise access to specialised medical services.
During the visit, the delegation met patients already receiving care. Among them was a woman who previously travelled long distances to seek treatment but now has access to top-quality cancer care closer to home. Idris emphasised that the centre demonstrates democracy delivering tangible dividends, giving citizens a reason to believe in government interventions. “Our visit allows us to hear directly from citizens, see the impact for ourselves, and ensure these facilities are maintained for public benefit,” he said.
The oncology centre is expected to significantly ease the burden on patients who would otherwise spend millions of naira abroad for similar treatment. Cancer remains a major health challenge in Nigeria, with the World Health Organisation estimating that more than 100,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the country. Experts say access to world-class facilities such as the one in Enugu could help in early detection, treatment, and improved survival rates.
Health analysts believe the federal government’s intervention could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s battle against cancer, but they also stress the need for sustained funding, maintenance, and personnel training to keep the facility fully functional. Beyond Enugu, the government’s plan to replicate such centres across the country is expected to reduce medical tourism and save Nigeria’s foreign exchange spent annually on overseas treatments.
The minister’s delegation also inspected ongoing federal road projects during the tour, further underscoring the government’s commitment to infrastructure renewal across multiple sectors. Idris reiterated that such efforts align with President Tinubu’s pledge to ensure Nigerians feel the direct impact of governance in their daily lives. For cancer patients in the South-East, however, the Enugu centre already represents more than just a policy promise. It is a new lease of life and a symbol of hope that world-class healthcare need not be out of reach.