The Oncology Multidisciplinary Team of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex hosted the 12th International Annual African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO) 2-day symposium in conjunction with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSK) United States of America, on 7th October, 2026. The theme of the symposium was New Frontiers in Cancer Care, Leveraging AI, Precision Medicine, and Innovative Research in Africa
Prof. Olusegun Alatise, a Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University and also the Co-founder of African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO) in his opening address, discussed the core value of ARGO, which was establish in 2013. The group operates a clinical database and biobank for patients with Colorectal and Breast Cancer.
The Burden of Breast, Cervical, Colorectal, and Hepatobiliary Cancers account for over half of Cancer cases in Nigeria, which underscores the urgency of strengthening multidisciplinary expertise. The symposium was designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of all members of the Cancer Care Team thereby bridging the gap between Cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa and Global Standards.
The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. Akanni Akinyemi, commended the researchers in the College of Health Sciences for their breakthrough in healthcare service delivery ranging from Renal Transplantation, Cardiothoracic surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Endoscopic Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery among others. In addition to this landmark achievement, Obafemi Awolowo University has consistently led the way in cancer research.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, represented by Prof. Tade Ijarotimi, emphasized that the symposium was to celebrate the achievement and partnership that has radically transformed the landscape of cancer care across Africa. He said, “while our Hospital has a long and proud history of pioneering medical milestones in Nigeria, our work on oncology has gained exceptional visibility on the international scale through the visionary African Research Group on Oncology (ARGO) and has been firmly placed on the global map as an Oncology Care Centre.
The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Tolulope Adewole, the CEO of NSIA Advanced Medical Services Limited (MedServe) in his remark talked about precision medicine and future of oncological care in Nigeria. Cancer is no longer a threat for Africa; It is a present reality affecting millions of families and placing significant pressure on already constrained health systems. About 1.1 million cases of cancers are reported annually with about 2000 deaths daily and proposed 70% increase by 2030. Unfortunately, many healthcare systems remain unprepared for this surge, ranging from limited infrastructure, workforce shortages, inadequate financing and poor access to screening services, which means thousands of people are diagnosed very late which will hinder the treatment outcomes. He made reference to the surgical breakthrough recently about telerobotic surgery, which is first of its kind in West Africa, emphasizing on the use of technology and AI for treatment in healthcare systems and a call to Government and Non-Government Organizations to invest in it because it’s the future.
Prof. Nadeem Abu-Rustum, the President-elect of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS), as his first international official assignment, highlighted the plans to bridge the cancer care gap across the globe while Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre is also a collaborator. In his speech, he addressed the issues of rise in cancer death and ways the IGCS plan to tackle the threat from enhancing the knowledge and skills of all members of the Cancer Care Team, to early diagnosis, affordable healthcare services, use of Technology and AI. During his presentation, he highlighted the most common type of cancer cases which prostrate cancer is leading, representing 31% in male and breast cancer, representing 32% in women among others.
Other dignitaries present were; Prof. Peter Kingham, (co-founder of ARGO and President of Surgeons Overseas, SOS), Prof. Fatimah Abdulkareem; founder of the FAJIM Medicare Foundation, Prof. Olusegun Ajenifuja; President Gynecological Oncology Society of Nigeria (GOSON), Prof. Olalekan Olasehinde; Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, OAUTHC., members of African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO), and participants from Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres across the country.
Photo Credit: Idris Adediran ANIPR