Nigeria’s second-richest man Abdul Samad Rabiu has launched the construction of a cutting-edge N2.5-billion ($3.25 million) oncology center in Ilorin, a bustling city in Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria.
The commencement of construction work, through the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), follows the groundbreaking ceremony for the oncology center, which will serve as a regional healthcare beacon for the entire West African region.
This initiative represents just one facet of the multifaceted tertiary-level health interventions championed by the ASR Africa initiative, operating under its Tertiary Health Systems Support Grant scheme.
Kwara State was selected as one of the recipient states in the federation following a visionary proposal by the state’s executive governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, which outlined plans for the largest oncology research, diagnostic, and treatment center in Nigeria.
This ambitious project, overseen directly by ASR Africa and conducted in partnership with stakeholders, will be equipped with state-of-the-art oncology diagnostic and treatment technology. It will offer Nigerians and international patients access to world-class oncology services, facilitating early detection and affordable treatment for all forms of cancer.
Upon completion, the oncology center is poised to reestablish Nigeria as a global hub for quality and affordable cancer diagnostics and treatment within the West African sub-region. This initiative underscores Rabiu’s unwavering dedication to enhancing public access to high-quality healthcare services.
Founded by Rabiu in April 2021, ASR Africa is a philanthropic organization committed to delivering enduring impact in the realms of health, education, and social development across the African continent. According to Forbes, Rabiu, ranked as Africa’s fifth-richest individual and Nigeria’s second-richest man, boasts a net worth of $6.5 billion.
As a philanthropic organization dedicated to fostering sustainable change in Africa’s health, education, and social sectors, ASR Africa has already disbursed N10 billion ($13 million) in grants of N2.5 billion ($3.25 million) each to four states as part of its Tertiary Health Systems Support Grant initiative.
In 2022, Rabiu garnered widespread recognition for launching the Nigeria Security Support Fund, a groundbreaking initiative worth $23.8 million. The contribution remains the largest philanthropic gesture by a Nigerian to date.
The fund was established to equip security personnel with essential resources, provide crucial medical supplies, and extend support to the families of soldiers engaged in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria’s northeastern region.
