The National Cancer Biobank Network in Nigeria will launch operations by gathering 10,000 cancer tissue samples from eight federal medical centers. By 2028, the network will expand its collection to 100,000 samples, a milestone that reflects its ambition to become one of Africa’s first nationally coordinated cancer biobank initiatives. Led by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) in collaboration with BioVana, the project seeks to establish uniform data and collection protocols across the country’s six geopolitical zones. This effort aims to bolster research capabilities and advance precision oncology tailored to Nigeria’s population.
The partnership stems from a 2025 agreement between NICRAT and BioVana, which will supply digital systems, staff training, and governance structures for sample management. Across the continent, cancer diagnoses exceeded 1 million in 2020, with projections indicating a doubling of cases within the next 15 years.
Current cancer research in Nigeria faces obstacles due to scattered resources, which hinder large-scale studies. The network will consolidate samples and clinical records under a single framework, enabling studies of biomarkers and diagnostics specific to Nigerian patients. Estelle Dogbo, CEO of BioVana, described the network as a potential blueprint for Africa, stressing its role in linking institutions and reinforcing local research capacity.
International organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER), have endorsed the project. A workshop involving these bodies helped standardize biobanking practices and quality controls. Dr. Stella Somiari, president of ISBER, emphasized that standardized biobanks support trust in international research while safeguarding participant rights. WHO’s Dr. Zisis Kozlakidis showed the importance of global research infrastructure to drive progress in cancer science.
Professor Aliyu Malami Usman, director-general of NICRAT, framed the initiative as a foundational investment. The next phase will concentrate on training hospital personnel, refining collection procedures, and achieving the initial 10,000-sample target. Standardization efforts will ensure consistency across the eight participating hospitals, addressing past fragmentation in regional biobank projects.
The project also integrates ethical safeguards by incorporating community engagement from the outset. Dogbo pointed to the necessity of transparent consent processes, an area frequently overlooked in African biobanking. The network’s governance framework includes oversight from NICRAT and ISBER, ensuring compliance with global ethical guidelines while adapting to local contexts.
