Nigeria’s First Ladies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration on cancer treatment, research, and advocacy.
The agreement, signed Friday in Lagos, formalizes a partnership between the First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), and Roche, a global biotech company.
The MoU was a key outcome of a two-day summit that also marked a leadership transition within FLAC. Chioma Uzodimma, wife of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, was elected chairperson of the coalition, succeeding Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, former First Lady of Kebbi State, who led FLAC for the past four years.
FLAC is a coalition of current and former governors’ wives dedicated to improving cancer awareness, expanding access to screening and treatment, and advocating for policies that ensure quality care nationwide.
The event also commemorated June as National Cancer Survivors Month. It featured a closed-door session where 10 cancer survivors and two support organizations were recognized for their resilience and contributions to the fight against cancer.
In her remarks, Shinkafi-Bagudu emphasized that the MoU is intended to make FLAC’s work more sustainable and grounded in evidence.
“The idea behind signing an MoU with the team from NICRAT is to ensure that FLAC’s efforts remain sustainable, evidence-based, and aligned with national progress on cancer control, ultimately easing the burden on patients across Nigeria,” she said.
