The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has announced the election of Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu as its president-elect for the 2024-2026 term.
Her election, along with a new 14-member board of directors, was confirmed during the UICC General Assembly held virtually on October 8, 2024.
This historic milestone makes Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu the first African to be elected to this prestigious position. She is a renowned advocate in the fight against cancer and the founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation. A consultant paediatrician, Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu is also a member of both the Nigerian Cancer Society and the American Society for Clinical Oncology.
Her work in cancer awareness, prevention, and control has earned her international recognition. She chairs First Ladies Against Cancer and co-chairs Nigeria’s cervical cancer technical working group. Additionally, she serves as Senior Adviser on Women’s Health and Cancer Advocacy to Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health.
A third-term member of UICC, Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu has made significant contributions through training healthcare workers and supporting cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment initiatives in Nigeria.
In her acceptance speech, she thanked the global cancer community for their trust. “I am especially honoured to work with all of you towards accelerating global cancer control under the umbrella of our great organisation,” she said, pledging to lead in an interactive and collaborative manner.
Her election has sparked national pride. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, praised her achievement as a “proud moment for Nigeria and Africa,” while Professor Aliu Malami, Director-General of the Nigerian Cancer Research and Treatment Agency, hailed her victory as a milestone that would inspire new innovations in cancer care.
Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu is expected to assume her role as UICC president in 2026, with hopes high for her leadership in transforming global cancer control.
