Nigeria’s Shinkafi- Bagudu emerges UICC president-elect

Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, a consultant pediatrician and founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, has been elected as the President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). This announcement was made on the UICC’s website on Tuesday.

The UICC, recognized as the oldest and largest global organization dedicated to cancer action, held its General Assembly virtually, chaired by the outgoing President, Prof. Jeff Dunn. During the meeting, Dunn reviewed the organization’s accomplishments over the past two years, noting the success of events like the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit and World Cancer Congress, as well as the commitment shown by cancer organizations worldwide in striving for equitable access to prevention and treatment.

Cary Adams, the UICC Chief Executive Officer, expressed gratitude to Dunn for his exemplary leadership during challenging times and welcomed Ulrika Årehed Kågström as the new President. “Today, UICC members from around the world came together to officially welcome Ulrika as the new President and to elect the Board of Directors for the 2024-2026 term, including Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu from Nigeria as President-elect,” the statement highlighted.

Kågström, who was elected President-elect in 2022, officially takes over the presidency today, while Shinkafi-Bagudu will assume her role as president from 2026 to 2028. In her acceptance speech, Shinkafi-Bagudu expressed her gratitude for the support she received, stating, “I appreciate the trust you have placed in me. I am honored to collaborate with all of you to advance global cancer control under our esteemed organization. I aim to be an interactive leader, drawing on your experiences and insights to guide UICC in the coming years.”

Alongside the election of the President-elect, the new UICC Board of Directors for the 2024-2026 term was also confirmed, representing 12 countries. Dunn congratulated the newly elected President and Board members, acknowledging their expertise and commitment to the cause.

Adams concluded the General Assembly by congratulating the new leadership team, expressing confidence that their skills would propel UICC forward in its mission to support the cancer community.

Kågström, who serves as the Secretary-General of the Swedish Cancer Society and is an active leader in the Nordic Cancer Union, becomes the fourth woman to lead UICC, following HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, Prof. Sanchia Aranda, and Prof. Mary Gospodarowicz. In her remarks, she thanked Dunn for his inspirational leadership and recognized the current Board for their dedication.

She emphasized the importance of continuing to address global inequities in cancer care and encouraged members to engage more through UICC Connect. Kågström highlighted the need to keep cancer at the forefront of global health discussions, reinforcing the significance of partnerships, particularly initiatives like the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition, which aims to enhance the availability of cancer treatments in low- and middle-income countries.

In her closing remarks, she stated, “I am truly honored to take on the role of UICC President. In a world with complex challenges, UICC’s mission to unite and support the global cancer community is more vital than ever. With cancer being the second leading cause of death globally, primarily affecting low- and middle-income countries, the disparities in access to care are unacceptable and underscore the need for urgent global action.”

Kågström reaffirmed her commitment to work with the newly elected Board to strengthen UICC’s impact on global cancer control, emphasizing the organization’s mission to unite and support the cancer community while advocating for greater equity and prioritizing cancer control on the global health agenda.