By Oluwakemi Kindness
Reports by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) says thousands of Nigerians are accessing specialised cancer and diagnostic services at home, reducing the need to travel abroad for treatment.
NSIA said its healthcare investments have already served about 15,000 patients at the MedServe–LUTH Cancer Centre (MLCC) in Lagos.
The centre has delivered more than 25,000 radiotherapy sessions and 10,000 chemotherapy treatments since its inception.
According to NSIA, treatment at the centre costs significantly less than comparable services abroad, in many cases less than half the international cost.
The Authority also reported cases of reversed medical tourism, with some Nigerians referred back from overseas providers because of the quality and cost-effectiveness of treatment available locally.
NSIA estimates that the locally provided services have prevented more than $200 million in foreign exchange outflows that would otherwise have been spent on overseas treatment and related expenses.
Diagnostic Centres
NSIA said more than 410,000 patients had accessed pathology and radiology services at its diagnostic centres in Kano and Umuahia by December 2025.
The services, according to the Authority, are helping improve access to specialised diagnostics, support earlier detection and strengthen clinical decision-making.
The healthcare programme operates through NSIA Advanced Medical Services Limited (MedServe), the Authority’s wholly owned healthcare subsidiary.
The MedServe–LUTH Cancer Centre, commissioned in May 2019, became the first oncology centre in Nigeria to offer 3D conformal radiotherapy.
NSIA said the centre now houses the largest concentration of radiotherapy equipment in West Africa.
Its role became particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when international travel restrictions disrupted access to overseas medical treatment.
The centre helped patients continue receiving specialised cancer treatment in Nigeria during that period, NSIA said.
13 States
Building on the existing facilities, NSIA said MedServe is expanding its healthcare network across 13 states.
The expansion includes 13 new diagnostic centres, three oncology centres and three cardiac catheterisation laboratories.
The new facilities will extend specialised healthcare services to states including Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna, Oyo, Sokoto, Delta and Yobe.
The cardiac catheterisation laboratories will also introduce cardiology as a new service line within the MedServe network.
To support the expansion, MedServe secured up to $24.3 million in blended financing from the International Finance Corporation and the International Development Association, NSIA said.
The Authority said the financing will help lower the cost of capital while supporting affordable healthcare services.
MedServe has also entered long-term partnerships with equipment manufacturers Siemens and GE for equipment supply, maintenance, training and bulk procurement.
NSIA said the partnerships will help improve equipment uptime and maintain service quality as the network expands.
Beyond infrastructure, MedServe is investing in healthcare skills, clinical research and international partnerships.
NSIA said MedServe has participated in two global cancer trials focused on prostate and breast cancer, strengthening Nigeria’s involvement in international clinical research.
