On Tuesday, 3rd June 2025, the First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (CON), unveiled the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN), an initiative of National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination (NTF-CCE) led by Prof. Isaac Adewole, as Chairman under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW).
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), as a key stakeholder, also joined government and development partners and other stakeholders to launch the PECCiN program.
Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer and cause of related deaths among women in Nigeria. Every year, over 13,000 women are diagnosed, and more than half will die from a disease that is preventable and treatable. Over 60 million women and girls are at risk of being infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) in the country.
The PECCiN program represents Nigeria’s bold step to change the trajectory of losing women who represent mothers, daughters, sisters, and breadwinners to cervical cancer. These losses devastate families and communities.
This aligns with the World Health Organization’s 90-70-90 global strategy, which will ensure that 90% of girls are fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15, 70% of women are screened by ages 35 and 45, and 90% of women with cervical disease are treated for the diseases by the year 2030.
“The agenda, now globally recognized as 90-70-90, if dutifully implemented, will ensure that the incidence of cervical cancer is reduced to less than 4 per 100,000 women…” affirms Prof. Adewole, Chairman of NTF-CCE, in his presentation.
In her keynote address, the First Lady reiterated the federal government’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Initiative Agenda.
While also referencing the country’s successful nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccine in 2023.
“Nigeria has shown that it is possible… In just nine months, we protected over 12 million girls. That is a landmark achievement,” said the First Lady.
She described the launch of PECCiN as the beginning of a “transformational journey in the health and dignity of Nigerian women and girls,” while also calling on communities, development partners, the private sector, and all stakeholders to commit and support the campaign, as no single entity can do this alone.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said, “The partnership will work to mobilize resources, raise awareness, and provide access to screening and treatment services for cervical cancer.” He added that it will promote vaccination for vaccine-preventable cancers like cervical cancer.
Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director/CEO, NPHCDA, in his goodwill message, spoke about efforts to ensure girls get vaccinated against HPV.
“We have incorporated the single-dose HPV vaccine into the routine immunization program by ensuring that vaccine is available at every PHC facility across the country free of charge. Also, we are intensifying school vaccination and outreach for girls who are out of school,” said Dr. Muyi.
Every father, mother, and guardian has a responsibility to protect the life and future of their girls by ensuring that they get vaccinated today.
Together, we can eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria