President of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, has called for the urgent establishment and strengthening of Population-Based Childhood Cancer Registries across Nigeria, emphasizing the need for accurate data to drive effective national cancer control strategies. He also urged the National Assembly to significantly increase the budgetary allocation for childhood cancer in the 2026 national budget.

Prof. Omonisi made these remarks during the 9th Annual Cancer Awareness Walk organized by the Okapi Children Cancer Foundation, held in Abuja, under the theme “Hope Every Step – Fighting Cancer.” The NCS led a strong delegation to the event in support of ongoing advocacy and awareness efforts.
In a Statement issued by Bashir Mohammed, National Director of Publicity, Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) Prof Omonisi said “It is disturbing that in 2025, some Nigerians — including key decision-makers — still do not believe that children can get cancer,” Prof. Omonisi said. “As President of the NCS, I regularly engage with policymakers, and I am alarmed by the ignorance that still exists at the highest levels. This shows just how critical our advocacy efforts remain.”

 

He commended the Okapi Foundation for its unwavering support for children living with cancer for over a decade and described the awareness walk as a vital tool for public sensitization and building solidarity with patients and their families.

Addressing the issue of funding, Prof. Omonisi acknowledged that the inclusion of childhood cancer in the 2025 National Cancer Health Fund (NCHF) with a ₦100 million allocation was a milestone in national advocacy. However, he stressed that the amount was grossly inadequate.

“We need to go beyond tokenism. I am calling on the National Assembly to increase this allocation to at least ₦1 billion in the 2026 budget, and for the Federal and State Governments to begin offering free treatment for all children diagnosed with cancer,” he said.

 

On the need for Strengthening Data Systems, Prof. Omonisi highlighted the lack of reliable data on childhood cancer as a major impediment to progress. Currently, Nigeria has only one Population-Based Childhood Cancer Registry — located at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos — and even that, he noted, is not adequately supported.

 “Science is driven by data. Unfortunately, we do not have updated or comprehensive data on childhood cancers in Nigeria. Without this, we cannot plan or measure impact effectively,” he said.
“We need at least one population-based childhood cancer registry in each of the six geopolitical zones. This is the only way to capture the true picture and plan appropriately for the future.”

He also advocated for early screening programs, noting that most childhood cancers are highly treatable when detected early, and urged stronger public-private partnerships to improve treatment access and palliative care.

The NCS president emphasized for Collaboration and Continued Advocacy saying that the event served as a powerful reminder of the role of civil society in keeping cancer care on the national agenda. Prof. Omonisi reaffirmed NCS’s commitment to collaboration with NGOs, survivors’ groups, and government agencies, describing the walk as more than symbolic:
 “This walk is not just an event — it is a platform for national advocacy, a chance to amplify the voices of patients and survivors, and a reminder that we must all do more.”

The NCS team, which included Dr. Chi-kadibia Ukoma (Vice President), Dr. Tessy Ahmadu (Asst. Secretary-General), Dr. Olayinka Popoola (Chairman, FCT Chapter), Dr. Hannatu (Abuja Chapter), and Eunice Ali (Program Officer), engaged participants, distributed educational materials, and reinforced the Society’s commitment to national cancer control.