The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a N302.3 billion contract for the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and inauguration of a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) centre.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting.

Pate said the contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited, with a completion period of 36 months.

According to him, the project will strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for cancer research, treatment, innovation and professional training.

He described the new NICRAT facility as a flagship national institution for cancer research and treatment, adding that provisions had already been made for the project in the 2025 and 2026 budgets.

Pate explained that the National Hospital and NICRAT projects are being funded through appropriations made by the National Assembly to the relevant agencies and entities, rather than directly through the Federal Ministry of Health.

“Our goal is to ensure that they are executed, and that Nigerians can see a transformation of the National Hospital, as well as a befitting cancer centre here at NICRAT,” he said.