Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu has emerged as president of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), thereby becoming the first African and Nigerian to lead the international organization.
Her emergence for the 2026–2028 tenure marks a historic milestone for Nigeria and Africa, offering fresh opportunities to push the continent’s cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment challenges to the center of global health discussions, Nan reports.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in Abuja, the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), through its president, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, described Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu’s emergence as president as not only historic but also an opportunity to strengthen Africa’s representation in global cancer advocacy.
Here is a profile on this remarkable woman.
Early life and education
Born March 27, 1968, in Lagos, Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu completed her secondary education at Queen’s College, Lagos.
She obtained a Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She also has a master’s in pediatrics and a diploma in tropical child health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
She is a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), UK.
Career
Bagudu is a consultant pediatrician, healthcare entrepreneur, and cancer advocate with a focus on women’s health. She has over 30 years of experience in medical practice and healthcare entrepreneurship, including 18 years in the non-profit sector as a global cancer expert.
As founder and CEO of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) and Medicaid Radio-Diagnostics & Clinics (MRD), she has led both organisations to touch the lives of millions by increasing access to preventive care, treatment, and patient support.
Bagudu serves on the board of directors for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the advisory board of the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC). She is a member of the Nigerian Cancer Society and the American Society for Clinical Oncology. She also contributes to global cancer awareness through the WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative Technical Working Group and serves as an ambassador for the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
As the former First Lady of Kebbi State, Nigeria (2015-2023), she spearheaded critical partnerships with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and the Kebbi State government. These collaborations led to the screening and treatment of over 40,000 women for cervical cancer. She was one of the facilitators of the introduction of the HPV vaccine for schoolgirls in Nigeria.
Bagudu became the president-elect of the UICC in 2024.
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Some of her awards include the Global Health Distinguished Leader award at the 2023 Global Health Catalyst (GHC) Summit and the Dicey Scroggins Distinguished Advocate Award from the International Gynecologic Cancer Society in 2024.
Personal Life
Bagudu is married to Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning of Nigeria and former governor of Kebbi State, and they are blessed with two children.