President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu on her election as President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
The former First Lady of Kebbi State was announced as the UICC’s president-elect for the 2024-2026 term, becoming the first African and the fifth woman to hold the prestigious position.
This was revealed in a statement released by Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, stating that Tinubu praised Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu, a renowned paediatrician and public health expert.
Shinkafi is known for her remarkable contributions to cancer control.
He lauded her as a symbol of Nigeria’s growing influence in global health leadership and highlighted her efforts in founding the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and her service as Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative.
President Tinubu also emphasised Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu’s significant role in Nigeria’s fight against cervical cancer, including her involvement in the vaccination of 12 million girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Additionally, he noted the government’s commitment to oncology, with ₦37.4 billion allocated for establishing six cancer centres across Nigeria.
The UICC, based in Geneva, is a global organisation founded in 1933, representing over 1,100 member organisations in more than 170 countries.
Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu’s leadership is expected to further strengthen cancer control efforts worldwide.