# Expanding cancer research capacity in Nigeria with team science

> **NIH NIH D43** · SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH · 2024 · $269,094

## Abstract

SUMMARY
In Nigeria, cancer is a significant and growing public health threat. Given the rising incidence and poor
outcomes associated with cancer in the region, the Nigerian Ministry of Health has designated cancer
as a priority area for research and training. To support this, we propose a new training program – the
Nigerian Cancer Research Training (NCAT) program – with the goal of increasing capacity for cancer
research in Nigeria. We seek to not only strengthen the existing research enterprise but to build in-
country expertise and provide a solid foundation for the development, implementation, and
dissemination of evidence-based interventions that will impact public health policy, as well as clinical
practice, care, and treatment for cancer patients. The NCAT program will build on existing relationships
and infrastructure established over the past decade between Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
(MSK) in the US, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Nigeria, and the College of Medicine/Lagos
University Teaching Hospital (CMUL/LUTH) in Nigeria. We will employ a multi-level approach to
strengthen research capacity for individuals (Aim 1) and institutions (Aim 2), while also enhancing
broader relationships at national, regional, and global levels (Aim 3). The NCAT program will address
two distinct needs for cancer research training in Nigeria: 1. a training program that can be used for
clinical faculty (primarily physicians and nurses) that will not interfere with clinical/research duties, and
2. a training program to bolster the capacity of full-time PhD-level researchers in the disciplines of
cancer epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and biostatistics. Trainees will be competitively selected,
and we will emphasize diversity and underrepresented specialties (e.g., nursing, psycho-oncology). A
multi-pronged training approach, utilizing coursework, “hands-on” research in ongoing breast and
colorectal cancer studies, virtual learning, mentorship, and collaboration will be used to train a cadre of
multidisciplinary Nigerian cancer researchers. After a one-year cancer research training period, NCAT
trainees will be grouped into research teams and take part in team science-based training, which will
include designing and conducting a collaborative mentored pilot research project in Nigeria. In addition,
to enhance support for local researchers beyond the project period, we will develop cancer research
training courses to be used in Nigeria, and provide mentorship and training to research administration
offices at OAU and CMUL/LUTH. We will use multiple layers of trainee and project assessment to
ensure that our program is meeting its ultimate goal of creating well-trained colorectal and breast cancer
researchers and a sustainable pipeline for continued cancer research in Nigeria.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10799642
- **Project number:** 5D43CA260646-03
- **Recipient organization:** SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** OLUSEGUN ISAAC ALATISE
- **Activity code:** D43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $269,094
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-03-08 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10799642

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10799642, Expanding cancer research capacity in Nigeria with team science (5D43CA260646-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10799642. Licensed CC0.

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