Officials from the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Medical Director of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Professor John Okeniyi, on Thursday, 17th April, 2025, in appreciation of the institution’s support and partnership in hosting the Southwest phase of the Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Cancer Research and Implementation (SINCCAR) training program.
The high-level visit, led by Dr. Nwamaka Lasebikan, Director of Research and Innovation at NICRAT, was part of the closing events of the five-day capacity-building workshop held in Ile-Ife. The training brought together 20 early-career researchers from across the Southwest region, including five staff members of OAUTHC, who were selected to receive hands-on training in modern cancer research tools, data analysis, and implementation science.
During the visit, Dr. Lasebikan expressed NICRAT’s deep appreciation for the enabling environment provided by the OAUTHC management. She noted that the choice of Ile-Ife as the training location was strategic, given the institution’s longstanding academic excellence and the commitment of its leadership to advancing health research.
“We are especially grateful to the CMD and his team for their unwavering support,” she said. “Your institution provided not just a venue but an atmosphere that fostered learning, collaboration, and innovation. This partnership has made this training not only impactful but also memorable.”
In his remarks, Professor Okeniyi commended NICRAT’s forward-thinking vision and reiterated OAUTHC’s commitment to national research development. He emphasized the importance of institutional collaborations in tackling Nigeria’s growing cancer burden and highlighted the need to continually empower young researchers with relevant skills.
“This training is a seed that will yield a harvest of better cancer outcomes for our country,” he said. “We are honoured to play a part in shaping the future of cancer research and care in Nigeria.”
The SINCCAR workshop is part of NICRAT’s three-phase national project aimed at strengthening cancer research across Nigeria. It includes institutional assessments, capacity-building workshops across the country’s geopolitical zones, and grant support for implementing innovative research projects. The project is designed to train individuals and bolster institutional capabilities for cancer research and evidence-based interventions.
Professor Olusegun Alatise, NICRAT’s Southwest Coordinator and a senior consultant at OAUTHC, also joined the courtesy visit. He praised the active participation of OAUTHC faculty and emphasized the strategic advantage of hosting the region’s largest delegation of participants.
As NICRAT continues to roll out similar programs across the nation, the visit to the CMD symbolized a renewed commitment to partnership, excellence, and action in Nigeria’s war against cancer.
This kind of collaboration shows real momentum in tackling non-communicable diseases in Nigeria. Supporting research is one thing, but building institutional capacity is the real game-changer.
I think it’s fantastic that OAUTHC continues to be a leader in cancer research and training. The strengthening of institutional capacities in such critical fields can truly make a difference in improving patient outcomes.
It’s great to see institutions like OAUTHC and NICRAT working together to strengthen cancer research. Training local professionals and building institutional capacity is a huge step forward for healthcare in the Southwest region.