Yasir Ya’u Nuhu: Driving Sustainable Impact in Cervical Cancer Elimination

Efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria are intensifying through a combination of high-level policy advocacy and community-based interventions. Yasir Ya’u Nuhu has been central to these initiatives, focusing on driving measurable and sustainable impact through the 2026 North-West Nigeria Cervical Cancer Elimination Summit (#NWNCCENS2026).

The summit aims to increase the effectiveness of cancer elimination efforts by advocating for sustainable investment and strong political commitment. These strategic goals are designed to create a framework for long-term health improvements in the region.

Community Outreach and Local Implementation

Parallel to the regional summit, targeted community outreach has been implemented to translate global targets into local action. In commemoration of World Cancer Day on February 4, 2026, a cervical cancer awareness outreach was conducted in Katanga town, located in the Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The outreach was organized by a coalition of health entities, including the Federal University Dutse Health Initiative (FUDHI), the Jigawa State Branch of the Nigerian Cancer Society, the End Cervical Cancer Nigeria Initiative (ECCNI) and the Yasleem Health Services Center in Dutse.

The program focused on adolescent girls, delivering educational sessions across two days. On the first day, over 80 female students at Junior Science Secondary School in Katanga received instruction on cervical cancer prevention, the necessity of early screening, and the role of HPV vaccination.

The outreach expanded its reach on the second day with a similar session held for female students at Junior Arabic Secondary School in Katanga. A key outcome of these sessions was the collaboration between the schools and community healthcare professionals to provide HPV vaccinations for all eligible female students.

Alignment with Global Health Targets

These local interventions and the broader goals of the NWNCCENS2026 summit are aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO) 90-70-90 cervical cancer elimination targets. These global benchmarks are defined by three primary goals:

• Vaccinating 90% of girls against HPV
• Screening 70% of women
• Treating 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease

The activities in Jigawa State and the advocacy at the North-West Nigeria summit are intended to support these targets while aligning with the national cancer control priorities promoted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Nigeria.

Strategic Objectives for Elimination

The overarching strategy for cervical cancer elimination in the region involves a multi-tiered approach. This includes the integration of healthcare professionals across Nigeria to ensure that prevention and treatment are accessible at the community level.

By combining school-based vaccination drives with high-level political advocacy for sustainable funding, organizers aim to create a sustainable model for reducing the incidence and mortality associated with cervical cancer in North-West Nigeria.