{"id":19356,"date":"2026-07-26T06:51:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T06:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umuakatimes.com\/topnews\/?p=19356"},"modified":"2026-07-26T06:51:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T06:51:28","slug":"rising-cancer-cases-in-nigeria-raise-fresh-concerns-over-food-safety-counterfeit-products","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umuakatimes.com\/topnews\/rising-cancer-cases-in-nigeria-raise-fresh-concerns-over-food-safety-counterfeit-products\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising Cancer Cases in Nigeria Raise Fresh Concerns Over Food Safety, Counterfeit Products."},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/span> 10<\/span> Views<\/span><\/div>

From Imo State to across Nigerian hospitals, several healthcare centres are witnessing an increasing number of cancer and kidney-related illnesses, with health experts expressing concern that more younger people are being diagnosed with conditions once considered more prevalent among older adults and the growing burden has become impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n

From the documents made available to Umuaka Times last week, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria records more than 127,000 new cancer cases annually, with about 80,000 deaths each year. That translates to an average of nearly 240 cancer-related deaths every day, or about 10 every hour.<\/p>\n

The statistics are sobering. While survival rates for many cancers have improved significantly in high-income countries through early detection and access to quality treatment, outcomes in Nigeria remain poor. Estimates indicate that for every 10 Nigerians diagnosed with cancer, about six die from the disease, compared with roughly three in many wealthier nations.<\/p>\n

Health experts say several factors contribute to the country’s high cancer mortality, including late diagnosis, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to treatment, environmental risks and the circulation of unsafe food and pharmaceutical products.<\/p>\n

One issue that has repeatedly drawn public attention is the prevalence of counterfeit and adulterated products in the Nigerian market. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned that millions of Nigerians are exposed to counterfeit, adulterated and potentially harmful consumables, urging stronger regulatory enforcement to protect public health.<\/p>\n

Highly dependable sources from the Federal Government disclosed that recent enforcement actions by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) highlight the scale of the challenge.<\/p>\n

In January 2025, NAFDAC announced the discovery and closure of more than 240 illegal factories operating in Aba’s Cemetery Market, Abia State, describing the operation as one of Africa’s largest counterfeit wine and beverage syndicates. According to the agency, operators allegedly used recycled bottles, contaminated water and unapproved substances to package fake versions of popular beverages, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and Schweppes. The agency has also reported several major seizures of counterfeit products worth billions of naira in recent years, underscoring the persistent threat posed by fake and substandard goods.<\/p>\n

Food safety remains another area of concern. Despite global restrictions on potassium bromate because of potential health risks, NAFDAC has continued to uncover bakeries and distributors using the prohibited substance or counterfeit bread improvers bearing fake registration numbers.<\/p>\n

Similarly, regulatory authorities have repeatedly warned against the adulteration of palm oil with artificial dyes and other harmful substances to enhance appearance, while experts have cautioned fruit sellers against using calcium carbide to accelerate ripening because of the potential health risks associated with improper use.<\/p>\n

Concerns also extend to the pharmaceutical sector. In 2026, NAFDAC alerted the public to the circulation of counterfeit cancer medicines, including fake batches of Avastin and Tecentriq, raising fears about the dangers facing patients already battling life-threatening illnesses. Beyond counterfeit products, Nigeria’s cancer care system continues to face significant challenges. With a population exceeding 200 million people, the country has fewer than 100 oncologists, according to available estimates. Access to radiotherapy is also severely limited, with far fewer functional treatment machines than experts say are required to meet national demand.<\/p>\n

Public health specialists who spoke to Umuaka Times last week argued that addressing Nigeria’s cancer burden will require a comprehensive approach that includes stronger regulation of food and medicines, improved public awareness, expanded cancer screening programs, earlier diagnosis, increased investment in treatment facilities and a stronger healthcare workforce.<\/p>\n

While cancer has multiple causes including genetics, ageing, infections, lifestyle and environmental exposures the continued circulation of counterfeit products and weaknesses in healthcare delivery remain significant public health concerns that authorities and stakeholders are under increasing pressure to address.<\/p>\n

Findings confirmed that the rising burden of cancer in Nigeria is not driven by a single factor but by a combination of preventable and unavoidable risks. From HPV and hepatitis B and C infections to tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, obesity, physical inactivity, environmental pollution, harmful radiation exposure, and inherited genetic factors, many of the country’s most common cancers are linked to risks that can be reduced through better public health interventions and individual lifestyle choices. This means that while the statistics are alarming, a significant proportion of cancer cases can be prevented through awareness, early detection, vaccination, healthier living, and stronger healthcare systems.<\/p>\n

Addressing Nigeria’s cancer surge will require a coordinated effort involving government, healthcare providers, civil society, and the public. Expanding access to HPV and hepatitis B vaccines, strengthening screening programs, discouraging tobacco and harmful alcohol use, promoting healthy diets and regular physical activity, reducing exposure to environmental carcinogens, and improving access to timely diagnosis and treatment can save thousands of lives each year. As cancer continues to claim hundreds of Nigerian lives every day, investing in prevention and early intervention is no longer just a health priority\u2014it is a national imperative.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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