Solomon Rotimi

FMOHSW Strengthens Collaboration to Advance Cancer Prevention and Care in Nigeria The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising prevention over cure in cancer control, in line with its mandate to deliver better health outcomes for Nigerians. Welcoming a delegation from the Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC), led by its Founder, Prof. Folakemi Odedina, the Permanent Secretary, Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, mni, stressed that prevention must be a central pillar in Nigeria’s cancer education strategy. “It is time we focused more on preventive than curative approaches in cancer education. Prevention should not be seen as an afterthought but as a strategic tool to protect lives and reduce the burden of cancer in Nigeria,” Daju said. Discussions during the visit explored key areas of collaboration, including: 👉🏾Cancer-specific nutrition to strengthen preventive measures and improve patient outcomes. 👉🏾Research tailored to Africans, bridging evidence gaps as most global studies underrepresent Black populations. 👉🏾Clinical trials in Nigeria, supporting ongoing national efforts to expand research participation and accelerate access to innovative treatments. CaPTC, a globally recognised non-profit, is dedicated to eliminating prostate cancer disparities, particularly among Black men. The consortium fosters international collaboration, conducts culturally relevant research, and advances knowledge-sharing through conferences and community outreach. The Ministry described the partnership as a valuable step toward strengthening cancer control under the Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring that prevention, research, innovation, and patient-centred care remain at the core of Nigeria’s health response. #HealthForAll #RenewedHope #CancerPrevention #MinistryOfHealthNG @CaPTC7

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲: 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗚 𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗨 The collaboration between the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) and Mayo Clinic in the area of cancer research, clinical care, training and public health has gotten a boost. This is even as the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu and other experts in the cancer space have visited the Mayo Clinic, had strategic meetings, toured their facility and also initiated the process of drafting and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Key research and clinical facilities toured by the Nigerian delegation led by Dr. Salako include Digital Pathology Tissue Registry, Digital Pathology Scanning Suite, Biospecimen Accessioning & Processing Unit, Pathology Research Core and Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester The MoU will formalize and guide the collaborative efforts in the area of collaborative research initiatives, capacity building, infrastructure development, clinical trials and technology collaboration. As part of the MoU, teams from Mayo Clinic and NICRAT will convene during the upcoming Science of Advanced Prostate Cancer in Africa (SoAPCA) and NICRAT conferences, scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria later in September 2025. It would be recalled that on April 8, 2025, the Mayo Clinic extended an invitation letter to the Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Malami with the title: Invitation to Attend Strategic Business Meeting at Mayo Clinic, United States. #NICRAT #MayorClinic #MoU #SoAPCA #collaboration #Research

For men who previously faced a bleak future with limited response to conventional therapies, this represents real hope—hope grounded in science that includes African genome. #CaPTC #AORTIC #CancerGenomics #BlackHealth #BRCA #mCRPC #PrecisionOncology

When Africa is included, healing begins. On conversation on this episode hinged on the pionering work of @CaPTC in identirying the enrishment of BRCA1/2 and ATM mutations in prostate tumor of African men. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36922933/ #CaPTC #AORTIC #CancerGenomics #BlackHealth #BRCA

Thrilled to join @Wellcome’s #WhenScienceFindsAWay podcast! We explored how BRCA/ATM mutations in African men w/ prostate cancer unlock access to PARP inhibitors for mCRPC —where options were once grim. Listen now lnk.to/ULyw1j

Thank you for paving the way and for your passion, @DrOdedina, in advancing cancer care in Nigeria. Grateful for the opportunity to facilitate this powerful synergy between @Fmohnigeria, @NicratGov, and @MayoCancerCare. Thank to the Hon. Minister for your strong commitment

Thank you very much @DrOdedina for your leadership and for giving up the platform and opportunity to do this. You always inspire us to do the big thing and do it right.

Want to collaborate on the next study? Want to join a cancer genomics-focused training cohort? Looking for guidance on launching local genomics study or precision oncology intiatives? Please reach out. Follow @iccareforblackmen, @CaPTC7.

This is a call to: • Researchers: Let’s build multi-site African genomics cohorts • Clinicians: Let’s move toward point-of-care genetic testing • Funders: Invest in local genomic capacity • Students: Join our mentorship training tracks

But this is bigger than data or just another study—this is a demonstration of African cancer genomic independence required for achieving equity in global precision oncology and cancer control.

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT Our study on BRCA1/2 variants in Nigerian breast cancer patients is now accepted in Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment @TCRT_Cancer. #BRCA #BreastCancer #healthEquity

@instablog9ja @CaPTC7 has been fighting prostate cancer in Nigeria & globally for 20 years. We have outstanding urologists, oncologists and prostate cancer researchers in Nigeria. With almost $20 million funding, @CaPTC7 launched @iCCaRE4BlackMen in 2022. Follow both to educate yourself.