Governors across Nigeria have pledged their commitment to eliminating cervical cancer in the country, describing the disease as a preventable yet deadly threat to women’s health.
The pledge was made by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, during the official launch of the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN). The event was held on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja and was inaugurated by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
PHOTOS: Wife Of The Vice President Hajiya Nana Shettima (@kujarima) Accompanied The First Lady Of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu (@SenRemiTinubu) to the launch of Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN) .
The Event which took place at the Banquet Hall of… pic.twitter.com/FETkUsVlAb
— Dogo M Shettima (@ShettimaDogo) June 3, 2025
Represented by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Abdulrazaq noted that although cervical cancer is both preventable and treatable, it remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Nigerian women, with nearly 100,000 new cases recorded annually.
He affirmed that state governors are fully committed to accelerating the implementation of cervical cancer policies by adopting relevant frameworks, increasing domestic funding, and strengthening primary healthcare systems to ensure wider access to essential services.
“The governors will also collaborate with development partners to improve access to vaccines, screening services, and public education, especially in underserved rural communities,” he stated.
The PECCiN initiative, spearheaded by the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE), aims to support Nigeria’s efforts to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 90-70-90 targets. These goals include vaccinating 90% of girls by age 15, screening 70% of women by age 35 and again by 45, and treating 90% of women with cervical disease.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, commended Nigeria’s leadership in global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer, highlighting the country’s role in establishing World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, celebrated annually on November 17.
“Nigeria has shown strong political will. Nearly 17 million girls have received the HPV vaccine, and screening services are expanding nationwide,” he said.
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In their goodwill messages, stakeholders from the private sector reaffirmed their support. Roberto Taboada, General Manager of Roche Diagnostics, pledged continued support for affordable and accurate HPV DNA testing in Nigeria. Similarly, Ms Vuyokazi Mjekula, Director of External Affairs at Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), promised increased supply and access to high-quality HPV vaccines.
Other backers of the PECCiN initiative include the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Unitaid, with support from the Renewed Hope Initiative, the NGF, WHO, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, and the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria.
The launch of PECCiN marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cervical cancer and signals renewed political and stakeholder will to ensure no woman dies from a disease that is both preventable and treatable.
