Cancer patients in Northern Nigeria may benefit from expanded specialist care following the commencement of oncology training under a new partnership between Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria and Kano Cancer Treatment Centre.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen cancer treatment services, research, and awareness programmes across the region.
The initiative builds on an earlier Memorandum of Understanding between both institutions aimed at improving cancer management, research, and public education in Northern Nigeria.
According to a Saturday statement from the university, the programme will provide structured oncology training for MAAUN nursing graduates and practising nurses across the region to help address the shortage of cancer specialists in Northern Nigeria.
“Under the new arrangement, structured oncology training will be provided for MAAUN nursing graduates as well as practicing nurses across the region to address the shortage of specialists in Northern Nigeria,” the statement read.
MAAUN President Mohammed Israr described the partnership as a strategic intervention to strengthen healthcare education and build local capacity for specialised cancer treatment.
He said the programme would help develop skilled healthcare personnel capable of improving cancer diagnosis, treatment and patient support services within the region.
The Centre’s Chief Executive Officer Nafisa Abdu said the arrangement would allow nurses to receive oncology training locally without the need to travel to other states for specialised certification.
She explained that the collaboration would also promote breast cancer and HPV awareness campaigns, prevention strategies and improved management approaches.
The programme is expected to create internship and industrial training opportunities for students, particularly those pursuing medical and health-related courses.
The Provost of the School of Medicine at MAAUN Rayyan Garba said the initiative was timely given the persistent shortage of oncologists and cancer care professionals in Northern Nigeria.
He added that expanding specialist training locally would help improve access to quality cancer care and reduce treatment delays for patients.
MAAUN Vice President for Administration Habib Awais Abubakar commended the continued collaboration and reaffirmed the university’s readiness to support the training programme.
Dean of the School of Health Sciences at MAAUN Kabir Mustapha said the initiative provides a major opportunity for nursing students to graduate with specialist oncology skills, strengthening the healthcare workforce in the region.
The partners expressed optimism that the programme would contribute to improved cancer awareness, early detection and better treatment outcomes for patients in Northern Nigeria.
