Okapi Foundation Promotes Early Detection at Abuja Childhood Cancer Walk

ABUJA, Nigeria — The Okapi Cancer Foundation has held its Okapi Children Cancer Walk 2026 in Abuja, bringing together cancer survivors, supporters, students and community members to raise awareness about childhood cancer.

The event focused on early detection, public education, community participation and efforts to mobilise resources for children living with cancer and their families. It also marked the foundation’s 10th anniversary of advocacy for children affected by the disease.

Survivors and supporters join walk

Hope Tobi, a child survivor affiliated with the foundation, said participating in the walk was encouraging because it brought survivors and supporters together.

“I feel very happy joining the walk because I walked with survivors like me and supporters,” Tobi said. “The walk was exciting because in every step we make, there is hope for children, informing them they are not fighting alone.”

The foundation said it has supported more than 250 children living with cancer. It also said its awareness campaigns have reached thousands of students and community members across Nigeria, although it did not provide an exact figure.

Focus on early detection

Foundation representatives stressed the importance of recognising childhood cancer and seeking attention early. Oluwakemi Adekanye, the foundation’s founder, said adults need to understand common signs and symptoms and learn how to support affected children.

“So it is important as adults to be aware of what childhood cancer is, common signs and symptoms to look out for in childhood cancer, and that is why we do what we do,” Adekanye said. “We want people to be aware of childhood cancer and how they can effectively support a child.”

The foundation has described early detection as critical to reducing the impact of childhood cancer on children.

Adekanye also said she understood that children would be included in a recent cancer health fund. She expressed hope that, if the inclusion is implemented, it would lead to greater progress and improved outcomes for children with cancer. The implementation was not independently confirmed.

Grassroots outreach

Dr. Ikenna Igbodika, a member of the Okapi management team, said the foundation uses grassroots education and outreach to involve communities across Nigeria.

“So a lot of education is done when we bring people. Their coming here is an implication, and they are educated on what we are doing and begin to see the reality,” Igbodika said. “We go into the grassroots, into the corners, to get people involved.”

The foundation called for increased support for childhood cancer awareness and highlighted public education as part of its decade of advocacy. Adekanye also expressed hope that the government would prioritise childhood cancer in the coming year.