First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) to foster a more coordinated, multi-sectoral response to cancer care in Nigeria.
FLAC, which unites the spouses of current and former state governors across Nigeria, is committed to raising cancer awareness, improving early cancer detection, and expanding access to quality treatment for Nigerians affected by the disease.
The MoU was signed in Lagos during FLAC’s Decade of Impact Celebration, which also featured 10 cancer survivors sharing their moving testimonies. According to Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, wife of the Imo State Governor and Chair of FLAC, the partnership with NICRAT will “strengthen our efforts in charting a strategic path forward in the nation’s fight against cancer.”
Mrs. Uzodinma, who succeeded Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu — the President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) — also hosted FLAC’s Mid-Year Meeting at the event. The meeting focused on cancer policy advocacy, with a special screening of the cervical cancer documentary “What I Don’t Know Won’t Kill Me” to drive public education and early screening.
The two-day event concluded with ‘An Evening with FLAC,’ celebrating survivors and inducting new Friends of FLAC, who pledged support for advancing Nigeria’s cancer awareness and patient support systems. The highlight of the evening was the launch of the FLAC Book, a compendium of patient journeys, survivor stories, and the impact of cancer non-profit organisations working with FLAC nationwide.
Mrs. Uzodinma stressed that, “Through FLAC, we are not merely addressing a disease; we are restoring hope, empowering communities, and saving lives. Thanks to our partners, especially Roche and NICRAT, we will continue to advocate for better cancer treatment in Nigeria, save lives, and ensure no Nigerian faces cancer alone.”
