Nigeria’s Cancer Care Under Threat as Shortage of Oncology Nurses Raises Concerns
FNA NEWS, 26th OF OCTOBER, 2026
Nursing professionals call for better welfare, specialist training and greater inclusion in health policy decisions as Nigeria faces a growing demand for cancer care.
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Nigeria’s cancer care system faces a critical workforce challenge as nursing professionals warn that the shortage of specialist oncology nurses could undermine the quality and delivery of care to patients.
The professionals have called for improved welfare, more training opportunities and greater inclusion of nurses in healthcare decision-making to strengthen the country’s response to cancer.
Nigeria’s cancer burden puts pressure on specialist nursing care
According to figures attributed to the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Nigeria records an estimated 102,000 to 127,763 new cancer cases annually, alongside approximately 72,000 to 79,542 cancer-related deaths.
The figures highlight the scale of the challenge facing the country’s healthcare system and the importance of a skilled workforce to support cancer prevention, treatment and recovery.
Professor Khadijat Musah, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing Sciences at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, estimated that Nigeria had about 300 oncology nurses.
She expressed concern about the migration of trained nurses and urged the government to improve their welfare to encourage more specialists to remain in the country.
Musah also said that only two institutions in Nigeria trained oncology nurses, with each admitting up to 50 candidates, depending on available resources and capacity.
Although some universities have introduced postgraduate programmes in oncology nursing, including master’s and doctoral degrees, the available training capacity remains a concern given the country’s cancer care needs.
Shortage of oncology nurses affects patient care
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Oncology nurses play an important role in supporting people living with cancer throughout their treatment journey. Their responsibilities may include monitoring patients, managing treatment-related side effects, supporting symptom control and providing education and emotional support.
Ann Joachim, an oncology nurse who spoke to NAN, described the shortage of trained specialists as a major challenge.
She explained that nurses often invest their time, skills and resources in acquiring specialist qualifications but do not receive adequate rewards for their expertise.
The shortage of specialist nurses also raises concerns about the pressure placed on existing staff, particularly in facilities where cancer services depend on a limited number of trained professionals.
For patients, adequate oncology nursing support is an important part of coordinated cancer care. Nurses work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team to help patients navigate treatment, manage complications and understand their care.
Nurses call for better welfare and retention policies
The migration of skilled nurses remains an important concern for Nigeria’s health workforce. Poor remuneration, limited career opportunities and challenging working conditions can make retaining experienced professionals more difficult.
Improving the welfare of oncology nurses could therefore form part of a wider strategy to strengthen cancer care.
Such measures should include competitive remuneration, safer working environments, access to continuing professional development and clear opportunities for career progression.
Specialist nurses also require appropriate workplace protections. Depending on their duties, oncology nurses may face occupational risks associated with handling certain cancer medicines and working in environments where radiation is used.
Providing suitable protective equipment, safety training and established procedures is essential to protecting healthcare workers and supporting safe patient care.
Why nurses must have a voice in health policy
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Beyond workforce numbers and welfare, nursing professionals are calling for greater participation in decisions affecting healthcare delivery.
Professor Musah emphasised that nurses are patient advocates whose close contact with patients gives them valuable insight into the challenges experienced during cancer treatment and recovery.
Their experience can help policymakers understand gaps in service delivery, patient support, staffing and access to treatment.
Including nurses in policy development could also help ensure that workforce plans reflect the practical realities of delivering care in hospitals and specialist treatment centres.
For Fellow Nurses Africa, this issue reinforces a broader point: nurses should not be viewed solely as professionals responsible for implementing healthcare policies. Their clinical experience and direct knowledge of patients’ needs make them important contributors to the development and evaluation of those policies.
Expanding oncology nursing training is essential
Increasing the number of oncology nurses will require more than encouraging nurses to choose the specialty. It will also require sufficient training places, qualified educators, clinical placement opportunities and support for professional development.
Early exposure to oncology nursing during nursing education could help students understand the specialty and consider it as a career pathway.
Universities, healthcare institutions, professional associations and government agencies can work together to expand training opportunities and support nurses pursuing specialist qualifications.
Retention policies must also complement these efforts. Training more nurses will have limited long-term impact if experienced professionals continue to leave because of poor working conditions or inadequate career support.
The way forward for Nigeria’s cancer care system
Nigeria’s cancer care needs demand a coordinated response that combines workforce development with improvements in working conditions and health policy.
Expanding oncology nursing education, improving staff welfare, strengthening workplace safety and involving nurses in decision-making would help build a more sustainable specialist workforce.
The reported estimate of about 300 oncology nurses underscores the need for more comprehensive workforce data to establish how many specialists are available, where they work and what additional capacity is required.
Ultimately, investment in cancer care must extend beyond treatment equipment and facilities. A strong specialist workforce is equally important to ensuring that patients receive safe, coordinated and compassionate care.
As Nigeria works to improve cancer outcomes, the question is not simply how to expand cancer services, but whether the country has enough trained professionals to deliver them. Strengthening oncology nursing must be part of that conversation.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform, and support nurses across Africa.
Durowoju Abisola is a registered nurse, nurse writer and On-Air Correspondent at Fellow Nurses Africa (FNA), passionate about nursing leadership, health education and advocacy.
Through journalism, storytelling and content creation, she amplifies important conversations around nursing, healthcare and the experiences of nurses in Nigeria. She is committed to using her voice and professional knowledge to educate the public, challenge misconceptions and inspire the next generation of nurses.
