Nigeria to build N302.3bn National Cancer Institute

The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has announced the proposed construction of a N302.3 billion National Cancer Institute in Nigeria. Approved by the Federal Executive Council, the facility is expected to be completed within 36 months.

According to NICRAT Director-General Professor Usman Malami Aliyu, the institute is intended to serve as a regional hub for training oncology experts and researchers across Africa. The project aims to strengthen cancer research, innovation, and capacity building while providing sophisticated local diagnosis and treatment.

A primary goal of the institute is to reduce medical tourism, which currently costs Nigeria millions of dollars annually as patients seek advanced care abroad. By providing world-class services locally, the facility is expected to improve foreign exchange earnings and position Nigeria as a center for cancer care and research globally.