Tinubu launches healthcare initiatives, to establish 10 oncology, diagnostic centres

To improve the health and social well-being of Nigerians, drive economic development, and position Nigeria as a healthcare hub within Africa, President Bola Tinubu has launched the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)-Healthcare Expansion Programme and the retraining of 120,000 frontline health workers.

The first initiative — the Healthcare Expansion Programme — is a major milestone in the health sector as ten world-class healthcare facilities specializing in oncology and diagnostics will be established across the nation’s six geopolitical zones.

This expansion builds upon the success of the NSIA’s previous projects, including the NSIA-Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Cancer Centre, the NSIA-Kano Diagnostic Centre, and the NSIA-Umuahia Diagnostic Centre.

Speaking at the launch of the initiatives on Friday in Bauchi State, Tinubu, who was represented by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the new projects will complement the ongoing expansion of cancer infrastructure and equipment in six federal teaching hospitals.

The President stated that beyond providing essential healthcare to Nigerians, these facilities will reverse the trend of outbound medical tourism.

The President also said upon completion of the first phase, the NSIA, through its subsidiary, Medserve, will operate the largest chain of oncology and diagnostic centres in West Africa, with the capacity to train up to 500 clinicians over three years, in addition to enhancing