Shinkafi-Bagudu elected UICC president — first African to head the organisation

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has elected Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu as its president for the 2024-2026 term.

In a statement on Tuesday, the union also announced the election of a new 14-member board of directors.

The election was conducted during the UICC general assembly held virtually on October 8, 2024.

Full member organisations of UICC from across the globe participated in the election.

Shinkafi-Bagudu, a Nigerian and ex-first lady of Kebbi state, is the first African to be elected to the position.

She is a consultant pediatrician and founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation. She is a member of the Nigerian Cancer Society and the American Society for Clinical Oncology.

She expressed appreciation for the election and assured that she would be an interactive leader “who will lean on your experiences, insights and energies to guide the UICC in the years to come”.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Shinkafi-Bagudu. He said her election is of historic significance as the “first African and fifth woman to lead the global cancer control organisation”.

According to a statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president, Tinubu hailed her competence and character, affirming “the enormous talents that abound in Nigeria”.

The president described Shinkafi-Bagudu’s rise as “a landmark achievement and a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in global health leadership”.

“President Tinubu recalls Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu’s invaluable services to Kebbi state and the country, for which Nigeria is deeply grateful,” the statement reads.

“He lauds her stewardship as Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative and her contributions to establishing the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer Control during her tenure as the First Lady of Kebbi State.

“President Tinubu expresses confidence in Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s ability to use her new office and leadership to improve cancer control and global health.

“The Geneva-based UICC was founded in 1933 and has more than 1100 member organisations in over 170 countries and territories.”