Distinguished Visiting Scholar Recap

We all want to end the scourge with cancer both locally and globally using evidence-based cancer control interventions. One of the hardest things about ending anything is learning how to do just that-the vision, the strategy, the people, the learning, the change, resource allocation or the potential for impact and so forth. That’s what ending cancer will take right? Maybe or maybe not. At least we can begin by assembling the right people, and potentially learn via exchanges how to redirect resources intelligently, repackage assets like cancer policy documents strategically, while reflecting empathetically on what will work or not work to advance cancer control locally and globally.

That’s what the Light institute recently did with the inaugural visit by the National Coordinator for Cancer Control in Nigeria, Dr. Uche Nwokwu, a 2025 WashU International Distinguished Visiting Scholar. There were moments of exchange with doctoral and medical students, site visits at the Siteman Cancer Center, and a day-to-day plan executed by an extraordinary team who ensured that our goals of collaborating, connecting and creating ideas that will work well was composed that we contribute to end cancer.

We also signed a memorandum of understanding between WashU and the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research to continue to create the conditions for collaborative research and training between our institutions. This to me is what makes our work at the Light Institute unique. We are grounded with intention, with a plan, that will always involve working with people, learning, adapting where necessary while nurturing systems that create clarity, provide ownership and foster curiosity for how to sustain evidence-based cancer control interventions. With a little practice and persistence, we hope that connections like those we continue to foster with the Dr. Nwokwu and our partners at the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research led by Dr. Oliver Ezechi, we can help to achieve these goals.

On Tuesday, November 11, Dr. Uchechukwu Emmanuel Nwokwu had the privilege to present to students, staff, and faculty on ‘Policy Implementation for Cancer Control: Evidence from Nigeria' as part of the International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD) Seminar Series. Reflecting on the burden of cancer in Nigeria and the challenges faced in controlling cancer, Nwokwu presented an optimistic yet practical approach to tackling cancer control in the country.

As the National Coordinator for the National Cancer Control and Nuclear Medicine Programme for Nigeria, Dr. Nwokwu is charged with creating and implementing a five-year plan for improving cancer control for over 230 million people, a monumental task for an institution with limited resources. Some of the strategies he is using include (1) expanding access to cancer screening and early detection services, (2) expanding access and quality of cancer treatment services, (3) increasing availability of hospice and palliative care for those affected by cancer, (4) advocating for cancer control and increase awareness, (5) strengthening the cancer registry data infrastructure, and (6) ensuring the availability of drugs and equipment for cancer care in Nigeria.

Dr. Nwokwu admits that implementation of the plan has been slow, yet it has still been impactful in some areas. To integrate across all levels of healthcare in the country, Dr. Nwokwu and his team hopes to secure buy-in from every region of the country, including both institutions and citizens. 

While in St. Louis, Dr. Nwokwu was able to meet with a group of doctoral students and a group of medical students to share his firsthand experience as a physician, researcher, and policy maker and the state of cancer control, health policy, and meaningful global health engagement.

Dr. Nwokwu highlighted several ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s cancer landscape: although national incidence remains lower than in the United States, mortality is significantly higher due to limited access to early detection, timely diagnosis, and affordable treatment. Expanding treatment centers, strengthening data systems, and integrating palliative care into all stages of care are central priorities for improving outcomes nationwide.

He also shared his personal transition from clinical oncology to national policy, noting the disconnect he observed between frontline clinical practice and government decision-making. He emphasized that impactful cancer leadership rests on a balance of policy, research, and clinical expertise, and encouraged students to cultivate clarity about their motivations and career direction.

When asked how students can contribute respectfully in global health settings, he advised striving for excellence, seeking strong global mentorship, and building partnerships rooted in sincerity, trust, and cultural humility. He noted that effective guideline development depends on adapting global standards to local realities—not simply importing models from abroad.

The discussions also touched on rural access, financial barriers to care, and the success of Nigeria’s HPV vaccination rollout. The students enjoyed their conversations and look forward to continued partnership with Dr. Nwokwu as they continue in their education and research  and grow in their careers. 

During the Light Institute Fireside Chat | Heart to Heart: Navigating Cancer Control Policies in Resource-Limited Settings, Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu and Dr. Juliet Iwelunmor, moderated by Dr. Bettina Drake, offered a candid and aspirational look at the future of cancer control in low-resource environments. Both speakers emphasized the need to “dream big” despite constrained budgets and system limitations, pointing to cross-border partnerships between Nigeria and the United States as examples of what is possible. They underscored the value of strong collaborations, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and the ability to convene diverse partners to share experiences and jointly address persistent gaps. Their reflections highlighted how comparative lessons between countries can inform adaptable guiding principles and support progress in areas such as patient navigation, community awareness, and psychosocial oncology—an increasingly critical domain for patients, survivors, and caregivers.

The discussion also underscored core policy and implementation challenges. Strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems, sharpening alignment between mission and vision for national cancer control plans, and ensuring equitable dissemination of policies emerged as central priorities. Dr. Nwokwu described promising dissemination activities underway at the Ministry of Health in Nigeria, including the development of the National Cancer Control Plan for 2026–2030. Both panelists stressed the importance of decentralized, community-anchored patient navigation models that bring care closer to underserved populations. Audience members posed incisive questions about effective communication and dissemination strategies, prompting a broader dialogue on how health systems can leverage local strengths, evidence-based leadership, and cross-context learning. The session ultimately reinforced that, even in resource-limited settings, strategic partnerships and a shared commitment to equity can drive meaningful, policy-led advances in cancer control.

On Thursday, November 13, partners, cancer researchers, and health leaders convened for the “Cancer Control in Nigeria: Foundations and Future” workshop, featuring Distinguished Visiting Scholar Uchechukwu “Uche” Nwokwu, MBBS, MHM. The half-day program brought together experts from Nigeria and the United States to examine the current landscape of cancer prevention and control and chart a collaborative path forward.

The agenda included a presentation on a literature review of cancer control plans in Nigeria, a structured prioritization of interventions, and a closing discussion on opportunities for long-term impact. Participants highlighted five priority areas for strengthening Nigeria’s cancer care ecosystem: community awareness and engagement; data, surveillance, and research; public–private partnerships; capacity building and workforce development; and costing and financing models to ensure equitable, high-quality care.

Recommendations emerging from the workshop emphasized the need to expand public–private partnerships, leverage digital tools for real-time monitoring of treatment and medicine availability, decentralize services to bring care closer to communities, and build sustainable financing mechanisms to improve affordability and continuity of care. These insights underscore a shared commitment to reducing disparities, strengthening health system resilience, and advancing a patient-centered cancer control strategy for Nigeria.

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