TVC’s Ayobami, Judith, 14 Others Selected for 2026 Naija Cancer Watch Fellowship

Two journalists from TVC News, Ayooluwa Ayobami and Judith Irenoa, have been selected for the 2026 Naija Cancer Watch Fellowship, a specialised health journalism programme organised by Sebeccly Cancer Care to strengthen media reporting on cancer and other public health issues.

The duo emerged among the 16 journalists selected nationwide after a competitive application process that drew entries from media professionals across Nigeria.

The fellowship, regarded as one of Africa’s leading health journalism training initiatives, is designed to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills needed to combat misinformation surrounding cancer, promote evidence-based health reporting, and increase public awareness of the disease.

The second cohort of the fellowship commenced on Wednesday, July 29, at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Idi-Araba, Lagos, bringing together journalists from leading media organisations across the country.

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Participants are being trained by experts in oncology, public health, science communication and health policy to improve the quality of cancer reporting and encourage accurate dissemination of health information.

Among the facilitators are the Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Ololade Kehinde; cancer researcher at Covenant University, Prof. Solomon O. Rotimi; Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Ademola Ayodele Oremosun; and Communications Lead at the Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, Ijeoma Ezenwere, among other experts.

The fellowship forms part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of Sebeccly Cancer Care, a non-governmental organisation founded by oncologist Dr. Omolola Salako.

According to the organisation, its awareness campaigns have reached more than three million people with life-saving cancer education and advocacy initiatives over the past two decades.

Speaking during the fellowship, the Chief Executive Officer of Oncopadi Technologies Limited, Dr. Adaorah Enyi, highlighted the growing burden of cancer in Nigeria and the urgent need for stronger public awareness and improved healthcare systems.

She said more than 127,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annually, while the country continues to record one of the highest cancer mortality rates globally.

According to Enyi, nearly seven out of every 10 Nigerians diagnosed with cancer die from the disease, attributing the high mortality rate to delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, poor access to treatment, fragmented healthcare systems, aggressive tumour biology and inadequate research that reflects Nigeria’s genetic diversity.

She said: “Every year, more than 127,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer, and many families experience a journey marred by delays, misdiagnosis, inaccessible care, poor response to treatment, and avoidable suffering. Nigeria currently records one of the highest cancer mortality rates globally, with nearly 7 in 10 people diagnosed with cancer dying from the disease, largely due to aggressive tumour biology, fragmented systems, poor access, and a lack of research that considers our genetic diversity”

The fellowship is expected to empower participating journalists to produce accurate, impactful and solutions-driven reports that will help improve public understanding of cancer, encourage early detection and support advocacy for better cancer care in Nigeria.