President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu on her historic election as President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu, a renowned pediatrician and former First Lady of Kebbi State, made history on October 8 as the first African and fifth woman to lead the global cancer control organization.
The statement, signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), noted that this achievement is a testament to Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s competence, character, and the immense talent present in Nigeria. Her election underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in global health leadership.
Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s impressive track record includes founding the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and serving as Senior Advisor to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. She also played a crucial role in establishing the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer Control during her tenure as First Lady.
Nigeria has made significant strides in cancer prevention under Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s leadership. The country has successfully vaccinated 12 million girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer, through the Federal Ministry of Health and international partnerships.
The administration has allocated N37.4 billion to the Federal Ministry of Health’s Oncology Initiative, which will establish six cancer centres across the country within two years. These centres will be located in teaching hospitals in Benin, Zaria, Katsina, Enugu, Jos, and Lagos.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s ability to leverage her new role to improve cancer control and global health.
The UICC, founded in 1933, boasts over 1100 member organizations in more than 170 countries and territories.
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