The International Cancer Centre Abuja (ICCA) and Singapore-based Innova Healthcare Nigeria Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a comprehensive oncology centre in Abuja.

The centre will be located at ICCA’s existing facility along Airport Road, with the partnership aimed at expanding access to modern and affordable cancer diagnosis and treatment in the Federal Capital Territory.

According to a statement by ICCA Communications Manager, Arhyel Shadrach Ayuba, the centre will provide radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical oncology, diagnostic and laboratory services, as well as palliative care under one roof.

The partnership will utilise ICCA’s existing infrastructure rather than require the construction of a new facility.

Director-General of ICCA, Shehu Yar’Adua, described the agreement as an important step towards fulfilling the vision of the centre’s founder, Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua.

“When our founder first envisioned this centre, she dreamed of a Nigeria where no one would have to travel abroad or go without care altogether to survive a cancer diagnosis,” Yar’Adua said.

“This partnership with Innova brings us a meaningful step closer to that dream, not by starting from scratch, but by building on the foundation she laid.”

Managing Director of Innova Healthcare Nigeria, Francis Shokoya, said the company was committed to working with existing healthcare facilities to make quality cancer care more accessible and affordable.

He said the partnership was driven by the commitment of ICCA’s founder to ensuring that even vulnerable Nigerians could access cancer treatment.

The collaboration is also expected to support the training and capacity development of Nigerian clinical and technical personnel, alongside investment in medical equipment and infrastructure.

The organisations said the initiative was particularly important given Nigeria’s growing cancer burden and the limited availability of radiotherapy and specialist oncology services.

The new centre is expected to help bridge the gap by providing comprehensive cancer care within the Federal Capital Territory.

ICCA was founded in 2009 by Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua, wife of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, with the vision of developing a nationwide cancer centre that would provide Nigerians with access to world-class cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Innova Healthcare Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of Singapore-based Innova Bio-Medical Pte Ltd, which specialises in cancer treatment and healthcare solutions.

The partnership is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s oncology capacity while reducing the need for patients to seek specialised cancer treatment abroad.