United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) and the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) have partnered to mobilise funds for cancer patients through online ticketing and inflight donations.
Both organisations said that the initiative would allow passengers to contribute to cancer care through a dedicated donation account when purchasing flight tickets.
The partnership was formalised on Wednesday in Lagos.
Speaking at the ceremony, the airline’s Managing Director, Mr Osita Okonkwo, said that the arrangement would provide an additional channel for Nigerians to support people facing the financial demands of cancer treatment.
He explained that passengers booking tickets through the airline’s website would have the opportunity to make voluntary donations, while similar appeals would be made during flights.
According to him, all contributions will be processed electronically through a dedicated account, with no cash transactions involved.
He said that the airline would also work with its cabin crew to encourage passenger participation through onboard announcements and direct engagement.
“Cancer treatment is extremely expensive. It is what we call a catastrophic disease. In some cases, we have seen an entire community contribute to save a life.
“People should not die of cancer ideally if their cases are discovered very early,” he said.
Speaking on accountability, Okonkwo said: “We are guaranteeing accountability.
“From time to time, we will update the public and give an account of what has happened and what is being done with the funds raised.
“Every cent that is donated will be fully accounted for,” he added.
Okonkwo said that the initiative would run for as long as it would take to defeat cancer.
The President of NCS, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, described the partnership as an important intervention in addressing the funding challenges confronting cancer care and support programmes in Nigeria.
He noted that cancer affected people across age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds, while the cost of diagnosis and treatment continued to place enormous pressure on patients and their families.
‘’The financial implications are sometimes so overwhelming that communities, religious organisations, friends and relatives have to pool resources to support patients, ‘’ he said.
The NCS boss described cancer treatment as extremely expensive, noting that some advanced treatment options could cost tens of millions of naira.
He said that the partnership would help the society bridge part of its funding gap and strengthen its capacity to support cancer patients.
The NCS president, who is also a pathologist, highlighted the importance of early detection and screening.
Omonisi noted that patients diagnosed at early stages had better opportunities for successful treatment.
He, however, identified inadequate diagnostic infrastructure, limited access to specialised care and the high cost of cancer medicines as some of the challenges affecting cancer management in Nigeria.
He said that the society was also involved in cancer education, research, screening advocacy and policy engagement, adding that sustainable funding remained critical to expanding these interventions.
‘’The society, which has existed for almost 60 years, has participated in the development of cancer-related policies in Nigeria and contributed to the country’s National Cancer Control Plan for 2026 to 2030.
‘’Effective implementation and adequate funding of the plan will be essential to reducing the growing cancer burden, ‘’ the NCS boss said.
On her part, the airline’s Cabin Services Manager, Mrs Ronke Babalola, said that the cabin crew would spearhead the inflight awareness and fundraising campaign.
‘’The airline is considering introducing QR codes that passengers can scan to access a donation platform, while also providing opportunities for individuals interested in making regular contributions, ‘’ Babalola said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the partnership was expected to provide a continuous fundraising channel, drawing on the airline’s passenger base of more than one million travellers.
The initiative also seeks to encourage greater public participation in supporting cancer patients, with both organisations expressing optimism that voluntary contributions could make a meaningful difference.
The innovative will build on three pillars: the fundraising approach; accountability commitment and human-interest element, supporting Nigerians with early detection and treatments. (NAN)
