Okapi foundation raises about N45m to pay for children's cancer treatment in Nigeria
Seventy per cent will go straight to treatment at hospitals in Abuja, with help for children in Lagos, Owerri and Zaria.
Abuja — The Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF) says it has raised about N45 million for children with cancer in its 2026/2027 year, up from N39.56 million the year before.
Dr Kemi Adekanye, the foundation's founder and chief volunteer, announced the figure at its 2026 donations and awards ceremony in Abuja. "Every donation brings us closer to ensuring that no child is denied treatment because of financial constraints," she said.
Where the money goes
Seventy per cent, about N31.6 million, is earmarked for treatment. It will be shared between the National Hospital Abuja, the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada and the Federal Medical Centre Abuja, with a portion for children in Lagos, Owerri and Zaria. The other 30% will pay for awareness campaigns, children's programmes, school sensitisation and scholarships.
What it has done so far
In 2025/2026 the foundation provided N17.94 million in treatment support, funding 69 requests for 34 children; 30 completed treatment and the others are still being treated or are in remission, Adekanye said. Since it began, it has carried out 288 childhood cancer interventions, trained 10,378 students, worked with 54 schools and awarded five scholarships to survivors.
"Our mission is simple: to make sure that no child is left to fight cancer alone," said Gbenro Oladoja, the foundation's head of management.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria, November 2026.
