The Federal Government has instructed major health research institutions to allocate resources to a new study aimed at finding a potential cure for brain cancer.
Dr Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, conveyed the directive to the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT).
The minister explained that the directive came after the identification of a promising molecule that shows potential against glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive brain cancer. Salako gave the instructions during a virtual session with the leadership of the research institutes and the Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training (CAMRET) at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
“The breakthrough underscored the need for collaboration between government and scientists to drive medical innovation. The phytomedicine sector must be prioritised in unlocking Nigeria’s healthcare value chain,” he said, adding that a committee had been established to connect investors, researchers, and industry stakeholders.
He further instructed the CAMRET team to submit a formal proposal to the ministry for assessment, assuring that the federal government would provide support for the research to advance to the next phase.
Presenting their findings, CAMRET team lead, Dr Amina Yusuf Jega, explained that the active compound was derived from a plant indigenous to North-Western Nigeria and demonstrated the ability to eliminate brain cancer cells within 48 hours at a particular dosage. She added that the extract is also under evaluation for breast, liver, colon, cervical, leukaemia, and lung cancers, all of which have shown promising results.
Jega highlighted the severity of glioblastoma multiforme, noting its average survival rate of just 12 to 15 months due to drug resistance and limited treatment options, emphasising the critical need for ongoing research.
Prof Usman Malami Aliyu, Director General of NICRAT, welcomed the initiative and pledged his institute’s support, noting that NICRAT had already reached out to CAMRET for collaborative efforts.
Dr Obi Adigwe, Director General of NIPRD, mentioned that the minister approved the participation of a CAMRET member in a federal delegation set to attend a specialised training in China in early 2026.
He also revealed plans for a similar collaboration with Stanford University in Nigeria in February 2026, in which CAMRET would take part as part of national efforts to enhance translational research.
Prof John Obafunwa, Director General of NIMR, confirmed that the institute is ready to work together on clinical trials to evaluate the extract’s effects on humans. “If this research can extend brain cancer survival rates beyond the current 12 to 15 months, it will mark a major advancement,” Obafunwa said.
