By Our Reporter
The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), has formally launch its first grant christened- Cancer Surveillance Strengthening and Capacity Building Initiative.
The grant was awarded by Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health (D4H) Initiative’s Global Grants Program with the aim of strengthening and developing cancer registries in Nigerian.
Speaking while launching the grant on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the Director General of NICRART, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, assured that “the country will use this grant judiciously to improve and impact the quality of cancer care for our patients.”
He further noted that: “Today, we are witnessing a giant stride that was made through this important organization. NICRAT is able to secure a grant that will actually help a lot in training and retraining in ensuring that the country has quality data for use in developing polices that will change the narrative of cancer management in cancer care.
“It is with deepest pleasure and on behalf of the federal government, I thank the awardees for this grant to Nigeria.”
Earlier, the Director, National Cancer Registry, Prof. Sani Malami, explained that NICRAT was declared winner of the grant on May 13, 2025, and it is expected to commence fully on June 8.
While noting that the project will be dedicated to strengthening and developing cancer registries, he revealed that 8 cancer registries will be targeted.
In order to equipped the necessary staff with the needed knowledge and skills in scientific data gathering for policy decisions, the grant will be deployed to training and retraining.
According to him, the grant is aimed at developing a well-coordinated and targeted approach.
On her part, the Head of Department of Surveillance and Monitoring at NICRAT, Dr. Joy Iya-Benson, commended the grantors, saying, this is an affirmation of the critical role cancer data plays in saving lives, shaping policies and driving progress.
“This funding would be far-reaching to strengthen systems, enhance data quality and ensure good foundation for cancer surveillance across the nation. We assure you that every dollar would be deployed with purpose and transparency,” she stressed.
She applauded the Director General of NICRAT for his support, stressing: “We say thank you to our DG for unwavering support and commitment to ensure we fulfil our mandate. Please do not get tired when we come knocking on your door as always.”
It would be recalled that on May 13, 2025, Lara Tabac, Director, Global Grants Program, at Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health (D4H) Initiative’s Global Grants Program, wrote to NICRAT announcing the approval for the grants. Part of the letter reads: “The range of activities proposed, and their scope, demonstrates and reinforces the enthusiasm and commitment that Vital Strategies has in working with you towards improving the access to and use of health data for policy making in Nigeria.”
