On May 29, 2025, Nigeria took a significant step forward in its fight against cervical cancer with the launch of the Partnership to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Nigeria (PECCiN). The occasion, led by Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, brought together leaders across government, health, and civil society to chart a path toward eradicating one of the most preventable yet deadly diseases affecting women in Nigeria.

Representing the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki delivered a powerful goodwill message affirming the Foundation’s deep and ongoing commitment to women’s health and rights-based healthcare delivery. As she noted, cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria, with over 12,000 new cases and an estimated 8,000 deaths annually—numbers that are both staggering and largely avoidable.

A Turning Point for National Action

The launch of PECCiN is more than a ceremonial event—it marks the consolidation of national will and continental solidarity. As Her Excellency emphasised, the fight against cervical cancer aligns with the World Health Organization’s 90–70–90 strategy, a global call to:

• Vaccinate 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by age 15

• Screen 70% of women with a high-performance test by age 35 and again by 45

• Treat 90% of women identified with cervical disease effectively

“These are not merely aspirational targets,” she remarked. “They are technically feasible and urgently necessary.”

WBFA’s Mamacare360: A Model for Impact

For over two decades, WBFA has taken a lifecycle approach to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH). The Foundation’s flagship Mamacare360 program, led by skilled midwives, integrates cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccine advocacy directly into routine antenatal and postnatal care.

By meeting women where they are—whether in health facilities, communities, or schools—Mamacare360 builds both trust and access. “This midwifery-led model positions women not only as beneficiaries but as informed participants in their own care,” Her Excellency noted.

Addressing Structural Barriers

While the medical solutions to cervical cancer are well-established, the barriers to access remain largely structural: stigma, low awareness, weak referral systems, and inadequate diagnostics. WBFA’s broader work in WASH, health worker training, and digital data systems helps bridge these gaps by strengthening the overall health ecosystem.

As a World Economic Forum Champion of the Global Alliance for Women’s Health, Her Excellency has consistently advocated for systems-level reform. Nigeria’s leadership in initiatives like MAMII (Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative) further demonstrates how integrating cervical cancer prevention into existing platforms can maximise reach and impact.

A Call to United Action

The PECCiN platform represents a powerful new chapter in Nigeria’s journey to eliminate cervical cancer. Her Excellency commended the First Lady’s leadership, calling it “a timely opportunity of renewed hope” to prevent, detect, and treat cervical cancer at a national scale.

Reaffirming WBFA’s role as a non-state actor, she pledged that the Foundation will:

• Continue deploying Mamacare360 across health facilities, schools, and communities

• Engage midwives and health educators to increase awareness and access

• Strengthen screening and referral systems, particularly in underserved areas

• Advocate for sustained financing to ensure no woman is left behind

“Eliminating cervical cancer in Nigeria is not a distant aspiration,” she concluded. “It is a goal within reach if we stand united in purpose, firm in action, and compassionate in leadership.”

Together, We Can End Cervical Cancer in Nigeria

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa remains committed to ensuring that no woman’s life is cut short by a preventable disease. As the country rallies behind this bold national effort, the time to act is now—for health, for dignity, and for the future of every woman and girl.