Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu will assume her new role at the UICC in 2026, with expectations high for her leadership in advancing cancer care worldwide.
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) on Tuesday announced the election of Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu as its president-elect for the 2024-2026 term.
Additionally, following the virtual UICC General Assembly on October 8, 2024, it announced the election of a new 14-member board of directors.According to a statement from the organisation, the election featured participation from all UICC member organisations worldwide, demonstrating UICC’s continued dedication to bringing the world’s cancer community together.The first African elected to the role is Dr. Zainab, a native of Nigeria. In addition to being a consultant paediatrician and a member of the American Society for Clinical Oncology and the Nigerian Cancer Society, she founded the Medicaid Cancer Foundation.She has participated in numerous national and international committees and task forces on cancer awareness, prevention, and control, making her one of the leading voices in the fight against cancer in Nigeria.
She is the co-chair of Nigeria’s cervical cancer technical working group, the chair of First Ladies Against Cancer, and the Coordinating Minister of Health of Nigeria’s Senior Advisor on Women’s Health and Cancer Advocacy.
As a third-term member of the UICC, Dr. Zainab has supported cancer patient screening, diagnosis, and treatment through her foundation and trained healthcare professionals.
“Thank you for your trust and confidence placed in me,” she said in response to the outpouring of support from all over the world. Working with each of you to accelerate global cancer control under the auspices of our wonderful organisation is an especially great honour for me.In order to lead the UICC in the upcoming years, I will be an interactive leader who depends on your energies, experiences, and insights.Following her election, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the State Minister of Health, said, “This is a proud moment for Nigeria and Africa,” expressing her pride in her accomplishment. Under Dr. Bagudu’s direction, the world’s cancer treatment will undergo revolutionary transformation. She has the complete backing of the Ministry in this esteemed position.”Her triumph is a significant achievement for the cancer community, said Professor Aliu Malami, Director-General of the Nigerian Cancer Research and Treatment Agency (NICRAT), who also congratulated her. Her leadership will spur increased creativity in the fight against cancer worldwide.
Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu will assume her new role at the UICC in 2026, with expectations high for her leadership in advancing cancer care worldwide.
