AI Takes Centre Stage As NICRAT Builds Capacity In Cancer Treatment
By DIANA CHUKWUKA
Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Cancer Care
THE National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has launched a three-day training programme to enhance the capacity of health professionals in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to cancer care in Nigeria. The initiative, which commenced in Jos, is aimed at improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of oncology services across the country.
According to NICRAT’s Director-General, Prof. Usman Aliyu, the training seeks to empower healthcare professionals with practical knowledge on how AI can be applied to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research. Represented by Dr. Olusegun Akanni, Aliyu said the programme aligns with NICRAT’s strategic objective of modernising cancer care delivery through innovation.
Addressing Nigeria’s Growing Cancer Burden
Aliyu emphasised that AI technologies could play a critical role in addressing Nigeria’s cancer burden by enabling earlier detection, more precise diagnostics and personalised treatment pathways. He noted that data-driven tools could also support population-level cancer surveillance and risk assessment, thereby informing targeted interventions.
The programme is structured to encourage intensive learning, collaboration and the exchange of best practices among participants, with the expectation that trained professionals will transfer knowledge to colleagues in their respective institutions.
Dr. Maurice Nimark of the Jos University Teaching Hospital described the workshop as a strategic intervention at a time when cancer incidence is rising. He said building local expertise in AI-assisted oncology would strengthen clinical decision-making, reduce reliance on external expertise and improve health system resilience. The training is scheduled to conclude on 19 December.
