July 1, 2025
The Nigerian Ministry of Health is taking decisive steps to address the urgent need for early cancer detection across the country. “It is time for Nigeria to fully embrace the power of early detection. This is not a luxury—it is a necessity in our battle against cancer,” stated Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Dr. Salako’s remarks come at a critical time, as cancer continues to pose a major public health challenge in Nigeria. In 2022, the country recorded over 127,000 new cancer cases and more than 79,000 cancer-related deaths, with numbers projected to rise. Despite the growing burden, access to advanced detection and treatment options remains limited for many Nigerians. To address this, the Ministry of Health convened a high-level forum on June 25th and 26th, bringing together medical experts, policymakers, stakeholders, and strategic partners to explore innovative strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s cancer care infrastructure.
“Strategic partnerships are key in this battle against cancer,” Dr. Salako emphasised. One such partnership is between Excellion International Limited (Nigeria) and OncoInv (The Netherlands), aimed at making multi-cancer early detection widely available in Nigeria through the implementation of OncoSeek®.
Their flagship innovation, OncoSeek®, is a patient-friendly blood test that detects nine types of cancer simultaneously—without the need for biopsies or imaging equipment. The blood sample is analysed in a laboratory, and the results are processed using machine learning to generate a detection score. OncoSeek® is fully GDPR-compliant and operates securely in the cloud.
About OncoInv
OncoInv offers OncoSeek® on a not-for-profit basis in Low- and Middle-Income Countries to ensure affordability and accessibility. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the non-profit foundation Inspire2Live. Learn more at www.oncoinv.org.
About Excellion International Limited
Located in OPIC Estate, Isheri-North Lagos, Excellion is a pharmaceutical firm dedicated to promotive healthcare solutions for vulnerable populations. Through its partnership with OncoInv, Excellion is actively promoting OncoSeek® in Nigeria. The company’s mission is to become a leading provider of high-impact healthcare products and technologies by leveraging innovation, research, ICT, and science to improve access to care. Learn more at www.xcellioninternational.com
About Inspire2Live
Inspire2Live is an international patient advocacy organization committed to inspiring and empowering patients, researchers, and clinicians to collaborate in the prevention, treatment, and elimination of cancer. Operating globally with respect for local contexts, Inspire2Live drives initiatives that make healthcare more patient-centric. Visit www.inspire2live.org for more information.
