Meet Dr Hannatu Ayuba, Taraba’s First Female Oncologist

Taraba State has recorded a significant milestone in the medical profession with the emergence of Dr Hannatu Ayuba Usman as the first female oncologist from the state, according to reports.

Dr Ayuba recently attained Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) in Radiation and Clinical Oncology, marking a major achievement in her specialist medical career and placing her among professionals contributing to the advancement of cancer care in Nigeria.

Her achievement is particularly significant for Taraba State, where she has over the years combined specialist medical practice with cancer awareness, screening, advocacy and community-based healthcare initiatives.

Dr Ayuba currently serves as a Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, where she provides specialist care to cancer patients across outpatient and inpatient services, radiotherapy and oncology clinics, acute oncology and emergency care, as well as multidisciplinary breast cancer management.

Beyond her hospital practice, the Taraba-born medical professional has built a strong reputation for community-based cancer intervention.

She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Consciousness Initiative, a non-governmental organisation involved in cancer awareness, health education, cancer screening, research, health systems strengthening and community oncology.

Her early community work included initiating and facilitating breast, cervical and prostate cancer awareness and screening programmes in Taraba State, alongside corrective surgery and rehabilitation initiatives.

She has also coordinated breast cancer outreach programmes at the primary healthcare level, with emphasis on prevention, early detection and improving access to cancer services.

Pioneering Tele-Oncology

One of Dr Ayuba’s major contributions to cancer care is her work in telemedicine and patient navigation.

She is the Founder of The TeleOncology Hub, a subsidiary of the Cancer Consciousness Initiative, which supports telemedicine consultations, multidisciplinary team meetings through videoconferencing, telemonitoring and patient navigation.

The programme currently collaborates with five institutions.

At the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr Ayuba serves as Programme Lead for the TeleOncology Hub, including the hospital-based programme and a community patient-navigation initiative undertaken in collaboration with the Grow Strong Foundation.

The initiative seeks to bridge some of the gaps that prevent cancer patients, particularly those outside major urban centres, from accessing timely specialist care.

Championing Cancer Awareness and Advocacy

Dr Ayuba’s work also extends to cancer advocacy, screening, supportive care, survivorship and palliative care.

She has been involved in cancer awareness campaigns, focused group discussions, patient advocacy and community patient-navigation programmes.

She also coordinates a Community Participating Organization under the American Cancer Society’s Building Expertise on Advocacy on Cancer and Oncology Navigation (BEACON) Initiative.

Her approach reflects the growing recognition that effective cancer care goes beyond treatment.

For patients to achieve better outcomes, they must be able to recognise symptoms, access screening, obtain an early diagnosis, commence treatment on time and receive adequate support throughout their treatment and recovery.

National Cancer Leadership

Dr Ayuba’s contribution to oncology has also taken her into national health policy and professional organisations.

She is a member of the Governing Council of the National Cancer Intervention Fund and Secretary of the Central Organising Committee of the Stakeholders Summit for Cervical Cancer Elimination of Nigeria 2025–2026.

She is also Secretary of the Nigerian Cancer Society, FCT Chapter, Co-Chair of its Cancer Screening and Outreach Committee and a member of the Nigerian Medical Association, FCT Adhoc Committee on Cancer Awareness, Prevention and Treatment Guidelines.

Her involvement in the ECHAlliance Nigerian Ecosystem and the Global Health Connector Nigerian Ecosystem further demonstrates her interest in strengthening collaboration between healthcare professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders.

Mentoring the Next Generation

Alongside her clinical responsibilities, Dr Ayuba has remained involved in medical education and mentorship.

At the National Hospital, Abuja, she has participated in resident training, journal reviews, academic activities, radiotherapy reviews, seminars and oncology education.

She is also Convener and Co-Facilitator of the Radiation and Clinical Oncology Residents Discussion Series, an initiative designed to support oncology residents through mentorship, examination preparation and structured academic discussions.

The initiative has subsequently evolved into Radonc Residents Konnect.

Research and Scientific Contribution

Dr Ayuba has also contributed to medical research and scientific publications covering a range of oncology-related subjects.

Her research interests and publications include cervical lesions, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, breast cancer metastasis, prostate cancer, chemotherapy-related complications, anaemia in patients undergoing chemoradiation, treatment toxicity and cervical cancer prevention.

Her research reflects practical challenges confronting cancer patients and healthcare professionals, particularly in areas of early detection, treatment complications, infection, symptom management and access to appropriate care.

She has received several recognitions and grants, including the ARCON-Janssen Residents’ Seed Grant and Mentorship Programme, a Leadership Programme for Women in Oncology grant and a University of Alabama at Birmingham Sparkman Pilot Grant for mHealth technology for cervical cancer screening in Kaduna State.

A Role Model for Taraba Women

Dr Hannatu Ayuba’s professional journey represents more than an individual medical achievement.

Her emergence as a female oncologist from Taraba provides a significant source of inspiration for young women and aspiring medical professionals from the state who seek careers in highly specialised fields.

Through her work in clinical oncology, radiotherapy, cancer awareness, screening, telemedicine, patient navigation, advocacy, research and medical education, she has continued to demonstrate the importance of taking specialist healthcare beyond hospital walls and into communities.

Her recognition through the Community Oncology Yvonne Award at OncoDailyParty 2026 further highlighted her commitment to community-centred cancer care.

For Taraba State, her achievement is not only a milestone in the medical profession but also a reminder of the growing contribution of professionals from the state to specialised healthcare in Nigeria.

As she continues her work at the National Hospital Abuja and through the Cancer Consciousness Initiative and TeleOncology Hub, Dr Hannatu Ayuba is contributing to a broader vision of cancer care that places early detection, accessibility, patient support and community participation at the centre of the fight against cancer.