Nwamaka Lasebikan: Strengthening Nigeria’s Oncology Workforce
Nwamaka Lasebikan, President of the Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists of Nigeria (ARCON Nigeria), shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Strengthening Nigeria’s Oncology Workforce: A Major Step Forward for Cancer Care
As the President of the Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists of Nigeria (ARCON Nigeria), I am delighted to share some transformative progress in addressing one of the most pressing challenges in Nigeria’s fight against cancer: the shortage of skilled oncology professionals, particularly in radiation and clinical oncology.
With over 120,000 new cancer cases annually and a mortality rate exceeding 70%, the urgency for action cannot be overstated.
Yet, Nigeria currently has fewer than 100 specialist radiation and clinical oncologists, a glaring deficit for a population of over 230 million people.
At ARCON Nigeria, we have prioritized the development of our oncology workforce through strategic initiatives, advocacy, and collaboration with key stakeholders. Today, I am thrilled to announce a game-changing milestone:
Accreditation of New Training Centers for Radiation and Clinical Oncology!
Three new training centers have recently received accreditation to train Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, increasing the total number of training institutions in Nigeria to eight.
These centers recently received accreditation by the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria(NPMCN). They are spread across different regions and are designed to:
Expand annual trainee intakes to meet the increasing demand for oncology specialists.
Significantly reduce the oncologist-to-patient ratio, improving care access and equity.
Support regional and national cancer care systems with highly skilled professionals.
What This Means for Nigeria’s Cancer Care Ecosystem:
By 2028, we project an increase of 150+ new radiation and clinical oncologists, doubling the current workforce.
Patients in underserved regions will experience enhanced access to quality care.
Nigeria will be positioned as a leader in cancer workforce development in the region.
This milestone is a testament to what can be achieved when stakeholders unite for a shared vision of improving health outcomes. ARCON remains committed to supporting oncology professionals with the resources, training, and policies needed to succeed and deliver the care Nigerians deserve.
Together, we are rewriting the narrative for cancer care in Nigeria. The future is bright, and the impact will be life-changing.
Shout out to the esteemed faculty who have participated in the accreditation exercise in the last couple years: Prof Adenikpekun, Dr Rasaaq Oyesegun , Prof Tajudeen Ayodeji Olasinde, Dr Igbinoba, Prof Adewuyi, Prof Sowunmi, Dr Atara Ntekim and Dr Nwamaka Lasebikan.”
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