Providing radiotherapy services in Nigeria: Strategies and lessons from African countries

Radiotherapy is an essential component of cancer management, yet access remains limited in many low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria. Despite a growing cancer burden, radiotherapy infrastructure, workforce capacity, and financing in Nigeria remain grossly inadequate. Nigeria has less than one functional radiotherapy machine per 29 million people, far below International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations. Countries such as Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, and South Africa demonstrated that phased infrastructure development, international collaboration, public-private partnerships, equipment leasing, and early workforce investment can significantly improve access to radiotherapy. The expansion of radiotherapy in Nigeria is an urgent need. This review examines the current state of radiotherapy services in Nigeria and draws lessons from these selected African countries that have successfully expanded radiotherapy capacity.