Abuja: The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated Project STRAWN, a workforce-readiness initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s radiotherapy workforce pipeline and improving cancer treatment delivery.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Strengthening Radiation Therapy Workforce in Nigeria (STRAWN) is an initiative led by the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, and OncoClinics Africa, with support from Siemens Healthineers. It is being implemented in collaboration with the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN), Association of Clinical and Radiation Oncologists in Nigeria (ARCON), and National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT). Others involved are the Nigerian Association of Medical Physicists (NAMP) and National Cancer Control Programme Technical Working Group (NCCP TWG).
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, commended the project and described it as a timely contribution to Nigeria’s cancer-control priorities. He em
phasized the need for workforce development, regulated progression, patient safety, and improved returns on national radiotherapy investments. The minister highlighted the importance of aligning the initiative with national policy and regulatory standards.
Stakeholders at the presentation highlighted Nigeria’s current challenge of having fewer than 80 licensed radiotherapy professionals serving approximately 12 operational linear accelerators nationwide. This workforce shortage remains a significant constraint to maximizing recent investments in cancer treatment infrastructure.
The Principal Investigator of Project STRAWN, Dr. Nwamaka Lasebikan, explained that the programme provides a structured pathway into the regulated radiotherapy workforce. She clarified that Project STRAWN is governed and not a shortcut around regulation. The initiative has two components: an Advanced Training Programme for Certified Therapy Radiographers and a six-month competency-based bridge programme for fresh radiography graduate
s.
Lasebikan emphasized that STRAWN does not replace statutory board certification but is designed to improve practical readiness and support progression into existing certification pathways. The programme includes classroom teaching, supervised clinical exposure, competency assessment, patient communication training, and quality assurance practices.
Mr. Zahi El Khatib, Chief Executive Officer of OncoClinics Africa, stressed the need for infrastructure, technology, and workforce development to advance together in cancer care. He expressed pride in supporting a model that addresses the workforce gap in cancer care and is aligned with strengthening Nigeria’s oncology workforce.
Prof. Obinna Onodugo, Chief Medical Director of UNTH, described the initiative as a strategic partnership for building local capacity. He reaffirmed UNTH’s commitment to serving as a national platform for oncology service delivery, training, research, and health-system strengthening.
Dr. Malachy Ejimofor, Director of the Training Ins
titute, RRBN, reaffirmed the board’s commitment to structured professional development in radiography. He emphasized the importance of curriculum alignment, supervision, documentation, and competency assessment in the programme.
Dr. Biyi Olusegun, Vice President of ARCON, highlighted the urgency of expanding Nigeria’s radiotherapy workforce. He noted that radiation and clinical oncologists rely heavily on radiotherapy professionals to meet the growing demand for cancer treatment services.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the initiative would reduce workforce bottlenecks and improve access to safe, timely, and quality-assured radiotherapy services across Nigeria. The project is initially being implemented through UNTH and OncoClinics Africa, with plans to expand to training hubs across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria records more than 120,000 new cancer cases annually, and experts say strengthening the radiotherapy workforce is critical to improving ac
cess to treatment and achieving the objectives of NCCP.