President-elect

Why would you like to be UICC President?

Over the past 50 years, the world has witnessed remarkable advancements in cancer science and treatment. Yet, millions of people worldwide still lack access to life-saving care —this includes countries with robust health systems and research capabilities. Addressing this gap has been a priority task of the UICC, via many impactful fellowships and programs. As a UICC board member for the past 6 years, I have had the privilege of engaging with over 500 of its member organisations, both directly and indirectly, gaining insight into the diverse challenges hindering cancer control across the globe.
As president elect, I can amplify messages and programmes of the UICC, leveraging our collective strength to reach even more communities and organisations. I would like to be the UICC President because it would give me a formidable platform to help create a world where cancer prevention tools, cutting-edge research, and life-saving treatments are accessible to all, irrespective of age, geographic location, socioeconomic status, or cultural barriers.

What makes you a strong candidate, drawing on any relevant experience?

As a physician for 30 years, CEO of a diagnostic centre for 18 years, founder of a cancer non-profit for 15 years, as well as eight years of being the First Lady of a Nigerian state, I have developed leadership, managerial, financial and high-level engagement skills that give me the confidence to put myself forward as President-elect.

Through these hats, I gained patient-centred experience essential for the oversight role required by a global organisation such as the UICC. I understand how governments work, have led and convened high-level meetings where I have formally represented the UICC and my country. As a patient advocate, cancer patients have taught me how crucial it is to place the patient in the centre of global cancer control. My experience in developing, integrating, monitoring, and evaluating strategies for our state and national cancer plans is crucial to this position. Equally crucial, is my experience working with civil society organisations, industry partners and international organisations (such as the World Health Organization, World Economic Forum, the United Nations etc).

As a health system expert, I have demonstrated my knowledge and skills in strengthening cancer health systems through numerous contributions. In recognition of this, I was recently appointed in a non remunerating role as the Senior Adviser on Women’s Health and Cancer Advocacy to the Coordinating Minister of Health of Nigeria.

I possess communication skills, particularly in translating scientific research findings and technical cancer updates into accessible and actionable information for the general public. This ability is a key strategy for increasing cancer awareness and control. Additionally, I have been interviewed on international platforms such as the BBC and Al Jazeerah. My op-eds and commentaries have been published on Devex, World Economic Forum, AORTIC, Lancet, ASCO pubs, UICC and Chatham House reports.

With my team, I have grown strong social media platforms which are useful for mobilising communities and promoting cancer advocacy campaigns including the World Cancer Day. Some projects that I have initiated or provided leadership to include:

• Insurance Coverage and National Fund for Cancer Care: I partnered with the Nigerian government to extend financial access to over 10,000 indigent cancer patients
• Closing the Global Funding Gap: Worked with industry, government, legislators, philanthropists and other stakeholders to successfully obtain increased funding specifically benchmarked for cancer control.
• Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer: Led the inclusion of Nigeria in the WHO global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem, benefiting over 15 LMICs.
• Raised USD 2.6 million under Medicaid Cancer Foundation and First Ladies against Cancer to benefit various awareness, screening and treatment and research programs.
• Mentored and sponsored 66 young people to successful career as nurses, advocates and young scientists.

Since its launch in 2019, our Medicaid Cancer Foundation launched PACE, (Patient Access to Cancer care), a program that has subsidised the costs of diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and palliative care with over $1,000,000. I aim to replicate across other regions.

Furthermore, In 2019, MCF was one of the recipients of the UICC SPARC grant for a project called 'One Call Away'. This was a patient navigation initiative, which links women diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer to treatment solutions, whilst addressing their psychological needs to improve their quality of life. This programme was eventually adopted and sustained under PACE.

Consistent with my patient centred, supportive and fundraising record, I was appointed as board chair of Network of People impacted by Cancer in Nigeria in 2022. Through the network, I attend patient group meetings and extend opportunities available to cancer patients. In March 2024, I was the keynote speaker in Zurich at the International Experience Exchange with Patient Organizations (IEEPO), a patient-led community that co-creates and collaborates to improve healthcare.
These experiences and achievements are a few that demonstrate my capability to lead and advocate for effective cancer control on a global scale.

What are your future ambitions for UICC?

I aspire to position UICC as the global catalyst for accelerating progress in cancer control. To achieve this, I will focus on the following key areas:

• Closing the Cancer Care Gap: Prioritising low hanging-cost effective awareness programs, that cut across early detection, treatment, palliative care, and research advocacy.
• Capacity Building: There are many beneficial programs and technical fellowships the UICC currently offers. However, not all our current members are aware of or bother to access. I will leverage digital technology and social media to bring in more members and enable them access available resources.
• Growing full members and fellowships: Currently, the UICC has over 1100 members in various categories. Full membership is a prerequisite to access benefits like seed funding and training fellowships. Many organisations want to join as full members, but cannot afford the dues. If successfully elected, I have ideas, and already identified partners we can crystallise into funding support specifically for members.
• Amplifying the voices of cancer patients: Lived experience is a very powerful driver of change. I have demonstrated the ability to engage physically and using my adept digital skills. I will continue to provide patients with cancer, members, stakeholders, with loud platforms to tell their story. This motivates patients, enlightens the general public and catalyses change. I am currently running an interview series which can be extended to the UICC platform and mainstream media.
• Driving Innovation: Particularly as it relates to health systems and early diagnosis. By partnering with low cost tech start ups, more training programs can be offered via UICC. Similarly, the use of Artificial Intelligence in Cancer is gaining momentum. The more data we have in quantity and diversity, the more reliable AI models will be. My Medicaid Radio diagnostic centre is working on 4 such projects. UICC members would be encouraged to have such futuristic programs.
• Global Leadership: Strengthening UICC's partnerships and influence on the global stage. Past presidents differ in their leadership styles. Mine would be a tenure of active promotion at a high level and in corridors of power where vital decisions are being made.

I am confident that by working collaboratively with the UICC’s management, board members, scientists and partners, we can create a world where cancer is a less destructive disease.