In a major step toward revolutionizing health journalism and public health awareness in Nigeria, Lagos Television’s (LTV) Olasumbo Modupe has been selected as part of the cohort for the 2026 Naija Cancer Watch Fellowship, organized by Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre.
Supported by the Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation and Access Bank, the fellowship brings together 16 media fellows comprising journalists, broadcasters, storytellers, and mentors who will spend the next two months working to challenge public misinformation, amplify survivor voices and reshape how cancer care and prevention are reported across the nation.
The selection comes at a critical juncture for public health in Nigeria. Cancer has evolved into an unfolding national crisis, with more than 127,000 Nigerians diagnosed annually. Due to fragmented healthcare systems, delayed diagnoses, and limited access to targeted care, nearly 7 in 10 Nigerians diagnosed with cancer succumb to the disease giving the country one of the highest cancer mortality rates globally.
However, experts emphasize that the crisis is not only clinical, but also a matter of public communication. An estimated 40% of cancers are preventable through evidence-based interventions like early screening, lifestyle changes, and vaccination, yet fear, stigma, and widespread misinformation continue to keep patients from seeking timely medical care.
“What changes behavior and moves communities from fear to action is a story, told well and by people who are trusted,” Sebeccly Cancer Care stated in an official release announcing the fellowship. “In Nigeria, the gap between what is known about cancer and what is believed at the community level remains dangerously wide.”
The organization emphasized that the fellowship is designed to bridge this divide by training media professionals to report on cancer humanely, accurately, and consistently.
The Naija Cancer Watch Fellowship will begin on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, with an immersive boot camp. The 10-week hybrid program, running through September 8, 2026, will feature three physical sessions combined with virtual masterclasses, direct mentorship, and hands-on investigative content production.
Through this rigorous training, Modupe and her fellow journalists will focus on producing impactful stories that normalize routine screenings, demystify cancer diagnoses, and promote early detection practices across local communities.
Established in 2006, Sebeccly Cancer Care has reached over 3 million people through public awareness campaigns, research, patient navigation, and access-to-care initiatives.
With the strategic support of corporate partners like the ACT Foundation and Access Bank, the organization is accelerating high-impact cancer care programs and empowering respected media voices like LTV’s Olasumbo Modupe to turn the tide against cancer misinformation ensuring that accurate storytelling leads to life-saving health decisions.
