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Climate Change Drives Rising Cancer Burden in Nigeria, Experts Warn

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 A growing link between climate change and rising cancer cases is putting Nigeria’s health system under pressure, experts warn, as new data highlights the country’s increasing vulnerability.

Cancer has become one of the world’s leading causes of death, overtaking HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined, according to the World Health Organisation.

Also read: Japan, South Korea Endure Hottest Summers on Record Amid Climate Crisis

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In Nigeria, the burden continues to rise, with 127,763 new cases and 79,542 deaths recorded in 2022, figures from the Global Cancer Observatory show.

Breast, prostate, colorectal, cervical and non-Hodgkin lymphoma remain the most common cancers nationwide.

Many of these are shaped by environmental and lifestyle risks — factors that experts say are being intensified by climate change.

Across the country, the signs of environmental stress are evident: soot-laden air in Port Harcourt, extreme heat in northern classrooms, recurrent floods in Lagos and Makurdi, and widespread deforestation.

Health specialists warn that rising cases of cancers with no clear cause may be linked to worsening environmental conditions.

Despite these emerging threats, Nigeria’s climate and health policies often operate in isolation.

Analysts argue the country lacks the integrated policy framework needed to connect environmental protection with disease prevention.

Nigeria has made progress in climate governance, establishing the Climate Change Act (2021), the National Council on Climate Change and the National Climate Change Policy (2021–2030).

The new Climate Change and Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP 2025–2030), developed by the Ministry of Health, also signals increasing recognition of the climate–health relationship.

However, substantial gaps remain. Nigeria ranks 154th out of 181 countries on the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Index, reflecting high vulnerability to climate shocks and limited readiness.

The HNAP’s Vulnerability and Assessment projects a 21 per cent increase in disease burden due to climate change — a strain the country’s already fragile health system may struggle to withstand.

Climate change acts as a “risk multiplier,” intensifying both infectious and noncommunicable diseases.

The WHO lists nine key health outcomes threatened by climate change, ranging from respiratory conditions to cancers. Yet Nigeria’s policies continue to prioritise infectious disease response, leaving the climate–cancer connection underexplored.

Experts say stronger coordination between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment and the National Council on Climate Change is essential to building resilience.

Without such collaboration, well-designed policies risk failing to produce real-world impact.

They also recommend integrating health indicators into climate interventions, including clean energy supply for hospitals, safe medical waste disposal, sustainable equipment procurement and mandatory Health Impact Assessments in environmental approvals.

Such measures, they argue, would ensure climate investments safeguard both the environment and human health.

Public awareness of the climate–health link remains low, but advocates stress that prevention begins with individual and community action from proper waste management to demanding cleaner air and greener cities.

Also read: Climate Change NNPC Foundation trains 6,000 farmers nationwide, launches climate-smart agriculture programme in Enugu

As Nigeria braces for escalating climate pressures, experts warn that cancer prevention must become a core component of the country’s resilience strategy rather than an overlooked consequence.

 

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GFF@25 Medical Mission Begins October 9 Across Ogun LGAs

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The Gateway Front Foundation’s GFF@25 Medical Mission will begin on October 9 and run through October 24, 2026, bringing free specialist medical services to residents across Ogun State as part of activities marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary.

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The 14-day intervention is being organised by the Gateway Front Foundation in partnership with Sharing Hope Medical Mission from the United States, Sharing Hope and Care Foundation and Redeemer’s Health Village. The programme is sponsored by Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The mission is expected to provide free major and minor surgeries, eye care, gynaecological procedures, orthopaedic treatment, plastic and burn surgery, as well as other specialist medical services. Organisers say more than 15,000 patients are expected to benefit from the programme.

More than 50 doctors from the United States are expected to participate in the mission, while local healthcare practitioners are also expected to receive training as part of the broader programme.

Ahead of the main intervention, the foundation has already begun medical screening and clinical assessments in parts of Ogun. On September 21, residents in Sagamu were screened across four centres, while another exercise was held on September 30 at Redemption City and Simawa to identify cases requiring specialised and surgical treatment.
The screening exercises covered conditions including cataracts, pterygium, dental cases, tumours, lipomas, ganglions, hernias, fibroids, vesicovaginal fistula, prostate conditions, orthopaedic problems, fractures, dislocations, amputations, diabetes and gastroenterology-related ailments. Selected beneficiaries are expected to proceed to the surgical phase of the programme.

To widen access and reduce pressure on a single location, the foundation has scheduled screening and medical interventions across several Local Government Areas, according to the programme schedule released by the organisers.

The listed locations include Ijebu North, Ijebu North East, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ogun Waterside, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Remo North and the RCCG City area.

The schedule is as follows:

October 9: Ijebu North, Kabiesi Solaja Hall and Bojowa Street, Ago-Iwoye
October 10: Ijebu North East, GFF Care Centre, Erunwon
October 12: Sagamu, Asoludero Hall and Ogijo
October 13: Ijebu Ode, Obalofin Hall
October 14: Ogun Waterside, Abigi Community Town Hall
October 15: Ikenne
October 16: Odogbolu
October 17: Ijebu East, Hazelway Hotel, Ijebu Mushin
October 18: Remo North, Ode-Remo Main Market
October 9, 10 and 12–16: RCCG City/Health Village area

The Redeemers Health Village in Mowe, Redemption City, will serve as the main location for cases requiring surgery, according to the organisers. This arrangement is intended to provide sufficient space and facilities for surgical procedures.

Monitoring officers have also been assigned to the various locations to coordinate activities, manage the flow of beneficiaries and support the smooth delivery of the medical services.

The GFF@25 Medical Mission is one of the major programmes marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary. The Gateway Front Foundation, established by Daniel, has over the years undertaken healthcare and other community-focused interventions, including medical outreaches and eye-care initiatives.

Residents requiring medical attention have been encouraged by the organisers to visit the nearest designated venue on the appropriate date for screening and assessment.

The foundation said the anniversary programme is intended to extend its humanitarian activities to more communities, with healthcare forming a major part of the GFF@25 interventions.

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Governor Dauda Lawal Approves 95% Salary Increase for Health Workers

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The Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal, has approved a 95 percent salary increase for health workers across the state.

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The approval, which adopts the Federal Government’s Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), is aimed at improving the welfare of health workers and strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

The development follows an earlier increase by the state government to bring the salaries of medical personnel in Zamfara in line with those of their counterparts in the Federal Government.

With the new approval, a health worker currently earning ₦100,000 will now take home ₦195,000, while someone on ₦200,000 will earn ₦390,000. A worker on ₦300,000 will now receive ₦585,000, and those on ₦500,000 and ₦1,000,000 will earn ₦975,000 and ₦1,950,000 respectively.

In effect, the 95 percent increase means the existing salary of every affected health worker is almost doubled.

The approval is expected to boost morale, attract and retain qualified health professionals, and ultimately improve healthcare delivery across the state.

It also comes shortly after the state government recruited new health workers last week, with the newly engaged staff set to benefit from the new salary structure.

Health workers in the state have since expressed appreciation to Governor Lawal for the gesture, describing it as a major boost to the sector.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Zamfara State.

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NAFDAC urged to probe KissKids diaper claims

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NAFDAC

Consumer advocates call for an independent quality assessment after a viral TikTok video alleged foreign material was found inside a baby diaper

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