Cancer has become one of the foremost causes of death worldwide, surpassing even diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined, according to the World Health Organization. In Nigeria, the situation is increasingly alarming, with tens of thousands losing their lives annually to cancers, many of which are preventable.
In 2022 alone, the Global Cancer Observatory reported over 127,000 new cancer cases and nearly 80,000 deaths in the country. The most frequently diagnosed cancers in Nigeria include breast, prostate, colorectal, cervical cancers, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma — all of which are influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors, many aggravated by the ongoing climate crisis.
The effects of climate change are becoming impossible to ignore. From the thick layers of soot blanketing cities like Port Harcourt, to heatwaves that turn classrooms in Sokoto unbearably hot, to devastating floods in Lagos and Makurdi, and the gradual disappearance of trees in deforested regions, the signs are all around us. These environmental shifts are linked not only to physical devastation but also to increasing rates of cancer and other health issues that often have unclear causes. Despite this, health and climate policies in Nigeria largely develop in isolation, missing the critical connection between environmental protection and public health.
Nigeria has taken important steps in climate governance. The Climate Change Act of 2021 created the National Council on Climate Change, and the National Climate Change Policy (2021–2030) offers a framework for mitigation and adaptation efforts. More recently, the Ministry of Health introduced the Climate Change and Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP 2025–2030), reflecting growing awareness of how climate and health intersect.
Yet, significant challenges remain. Nigeria is ranked 154th out of 181 countries on the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Index, highlighting the country’s high vulnerability and limited readiness to cope with climate-related shocks. The HNAP’s vulnerability assessment estimates that climate change could increase the disease burden by 21 percent. Given the already overstretched healthcare system, the country risks being overwhelmed if urgent reforms and stronger climate-health strategies are not implemented.
Climate change intensifies health risks across the board, worsening both infectious and noncommunicable diseases. The World Health Organization identifies nine key health outcomes threatened by climate change, including respiratory diseases and cancers. However, Nigeria’s current health policies still largely focus on combating infectious diseases, often overlooking the wider implications of climate change on cancer rates and other noncommunicable diseases.
Although the HNAP exists, coordination between governmental sectors and agencies remains weak and mostly concentrated at the federal level. This disconnect hinders the translation of policies into effective action. To build true resilience, health considerations must be integrated into climate-related projects — such as ensuring hospitals use clean energy, safely managing medical waste, procuring sustainable medical equipment, and including Health Impact Assessments in environmental decisions. Collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, and the National Council on Climate Change are essential, as no single institution can tackle these challenges alone. Cancer prevention should be embedded within Nigeria’s climate resilience strategies, not treated as an afterthought.
Public awareness of the link between climate change and health remains limited. Real change will come not just from policies, but through the daily actions of individuals — from better waste management to demanding cleaner air and greener urban spaces, we all play a role in safeguarding our communities’ health.
