Abeokuta, Ogun State— The Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to harnessing nuclear medicine in the fight against cancer and other diseases, unveiling OncoSeek, an innovative blood test designed to detect nine high-risk cancers at early stages.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during a workshop hosted by the National Cancer Control and Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group in Abeokuta.
OncoSeek targets early identification of breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, lung, lymphoma, ovarian, pancreatic, and stomach cancers—types known for their high mortality rates. Dr. Salako emphasized the urgency of deploying advanced diagnostic tools to address Nigeria’s growing cancer burden.
“Our nation faces an increasing cancer challenge that requires comprehensive strategies spanning prevention, diagnosis, and treatment,” Dr. Salako stated. “We are actively expanding cancer care infrastructure, including constructing six centres of excellence across all geopolitical zones. The Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta is among the facilities set to benefit under the 2025 budget’s second phase.”
Highlighting the importance of early diagnosis, the minister noted, “Late detection remains a major obstacle in cancer care, as many symptoms mimic other illnesses. Tools like OncoSeek, which can detect cancer even before symptoms appear, are vital for effective intervention.”
Dr. Salako also pointed out that despite Nigeria’s skilled nuclear medicine professionals and partnerships with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the full potential of nuclear medicine remains untapped.
“We must maximize nuclear medicine’s role in managing complex diseases like cancer,” he urged, reaffirming government support for the Technical Working Group, which was inaugurated earlier this year to develop actionable policies and guidelines.
Mr. Benjamin Ogbalor, President of the Partnership for Eradication of Cancer in Africa (PECA), welcomed the introduction of OncoSeek, underscoring its potential to improve early cancer detection and treatment accessibility, especially among vulnerable and indigenous populations.
“Late-stage diagnosis leads to high mortality and costly treatments,” Mr. Ogbalor explained. “OncoSeek aims to close diagnostic gaps by providing affordable, accessible screening, ensuring timely care for at-risk individuals.”
He called on stakeholders to champion the widespread adoption of the test to alleviate the financial and health burdens on Nigerian families.
Dr. Kehinde Ololade, Chairman of the National Nuclear Medicine Technical Working Group, pledged the committee’s commitment to establishing clear national policies for nuclear medicine’s integration into healthcare.
OncoSeek was introduced to Nigeria in 2024 through a collaboration between PECA and international partners Inspire2Live and OncoinV. The AI-powered software analyzes protein tumor markers to detect cancer, representing a significant advancement in diagnostic technology.
By Enoch Odesola | June 29, 2025
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