Nigeria faces cancer care crisis as oncology nurse shortage widens

Nigeria’s oncology workforce is critically short

In Abuja, nursing professionals have warned that the scarcity of oncology nurses is undermining cancer care across Nigeria. According to the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), the country records between 102,000 and 127,763 new cancer cases each year and suffers 72,000 to 79,542 cancer‑related deaths annually. With only about 300 oncology nurses nationwide, the workforce is far below the demand for specialised cancer care.

The shortage is compounded by the migration of trained nurses to other countries, further depleting the domestic supply. Only two Nigerian institutions currently train oncology nurses, each admitting up to 50 candidates depending on resources. Some universities have introduced postgraduate programmes, including masters and doctoral degrees, but the overall capacity remains limited.

Background

Prof. Khadijat Musah, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing Sciences at the Federal University Otuoke in Bayelsa State, estimates the national count of oncology nurses at roughly 300. She has highlighted the lack of specialists and the impact of brain drain on patient care. Musah has urged the government to improve the welfare of oncology nurses, noting that nurses’ close contact with patients gives them unique insight into the challenges of cancer treatment.

Ann Joachim, an oncology nurse, described the situation as a major challenge, noting that nurses often sacrifice personal time and skill to acquire the specialty. She criticised the inadequate rewards for specialised skills and the occupational risks associated with cancer care, yet encouraged young nurses to specialise out of compassion and a desire to help curb the disease.

Fatima Adam, Vice‑President of the Oncology Nursing Society of Nigeria and a staff nurse at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, emphasised that a multidisciplinary cancer care team is incomplete without an oncology nurse. She called for early exposure of nursing students to oncology to attract more specialists.

Nanre Mampak, an oncology nurse and educator with over 20 years of experience, added that nurses should be included in decisions affecting healthcare delivery.

Why it matters

The shortage directly threatens the quality and availability of cancer treatment. With only 300 specialists to serve a population facing tens of thousands of new cancer cases each year, patients may experience delayed diagnosis, limited treatment options and poorer outcomes. The migration of trained nurses further reduces the capacity to manage complex oncology cases, potentially increasing mortality rates.

The nursing bodies’ call for improved welfare, expanded training and greater policy inclusion reflects the urgent need to address workforce sustainability. Without these measures, the gap between demand and supply of oncology care is likely to widen, compromising patient safety and treatment efficacy.

What happens next

The sources do not specify any immediate policy changes or timelines. The nursing professionals have voiced their concerns to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, hoping to influence government action. No further steps or dates are reported at this time.