The Federal Government has directed key health research institutions to support ongoing scientific research aimed at developing a homegrown treatment for brain cancer, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to transform Nigeria’s health sector through innovation and indigenous expertise.
The directive, issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, mandates the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) to collaborate with the Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training (CAMRET) at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
This follows promising laboratory findings from CAMRET, where scientists discovered that a compound extracted from a plant native to northwestern Nigeria showed potential effectiveness against glioblastoma multiforme and other aggressive cancer cell lines.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated that the move aligns with President Tinubu’s renewed commitment to advancing local medical research, promoting innovation, and reducing dependency on imported pharmaceuticals.
He added that the Federal Government has also established a ministerial committee to coordinate further testing, facilitate clinical trials, and accelerate the development of a potential brain cancer treatment. The committee will work with Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and phytomedicine sectors to ensure the sustainability and commercialization of any successful discovery.
The initiative, which underscores President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector, is seen as a milestone in Nigeria’s drive to strengthen indigenous medical research and position the country as a key player in global health innovation.
