The cost of saving lives comes with a number: ₦2.2 trillion. Nigeria has announced this staggering investment requirement to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, transforming one of the country's most preventable yet deadly diseases from a death sentence into a defeated enemy. The new Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN), launched by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, represents more than ambitious health targets—it signals a fundamental shift in how Nigeria values the lives of women and future generations.
The scale reflects both the magnitude of the challenge and the historic underinvestment in women's health infrastructure that created this crisis.
Key Takeaways:
- HPV vaccination programmes alone will require over ₦426 billion to reach prevention targets across Nigeria's female population
- Screening initiatives targeting 14.4 million women will cost approximately ₦351 billion, representing the most significant systematic health screening effort in Nigeria's history.
- The initiative aligns with WHO's ambitious 90-70-90 health goals: 90% HPV vaccination coverage, 70% screening coverage, and 90% treatment access.
- Tertiary treatment costs remain publicly unitemised, suggesting the genuine financial commitment may exceed the current projection.s
Nigeria's cervical cancer elimination plan asks a profound question: Can systematic investment in prevention replace reactive healthcare? The ₦2.2 trillion figure represents not just medical expenditure, but a test of whether Nigeria will prioritise women's health with the same urgency traditionally reserved for other national priorities. Sometimes, health truly needs wealth to flourish.
