Full Name
Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu
Job Title
CEO, Medicaid Cancer Foundation
Current Employer
Board Member, Union for International Cancer Control
Speaker Bio
Profile: Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu (MBBS, MRCPCH).
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a global expert in cancer care. She's a physician, healthcare entrepreneur, and a tireless advocate. 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.
Under her leadership, Medicaid has implemented critical strategies to enhance patient outcomes, based on the pillars of access, advocacy, and patient support. MCF stands as the largest non-profit in Nigeria providing free access to preventive, diagnostic, and treatment support. This initiative has increased awareness by 25.8% since 2008, reduced late-stage cancer presentations, and provided affordable treatment options. The advocacy arm actively advances policies at the state and national levels, addressing governance, prevention, supply chain management, data, research, and surveillance.
With over 30 years of experience in medical practice and healthcare entrepreneurship, including 18 years in the non-profit sector as a global cancer expert, Dr. Bagudu holds numerous thought leadership roles nationally and internationally. She 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 an active member of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer(AORTIC), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), International Society for Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), European Society for Medical Oncology, (ESMO), American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO)and others. Additionally, she contributes to global cancer awareness through the WHO's Global Breast Cancer Initiative Technical Working Group, serves as an Ambassador for World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and Senior Adviser to the Coordinating Minister of Health, on Women’s Health and Cancer Advocacy.
In her previous role as First Lady of Kebbi State, Nigeria (2015-2023), Dr. Bagudu spearheaded transformative initiatives in girl child education, women empowerment, and mentorship. Her healthcare leadership transformed Kebbi State's approach to cancer control, with initiatives like multi-stakeholder efforts, treatment access partnerships, a state cancer control plan, a cancer registry, and free HPV vaccinations for girls.
Dr. Bagudu's career highlights her dedication to expanding healthcare access and strengthening policies in Nigeria and worldwide. In 2023, she played a key role with other Nigerian stakeholders in launching critical initiatives: The National Cancer Control Program (2023-2028): The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), and the Cancer Health Fund. Her recent work and achievements specifically focus on preventing cervical cancer in women. She leads collaborations between governments, NGOs, academic institutions, and global experts to achieve the WHO's goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. A key accomplishment is the new HPV vaccination program for Nigerian girls aged 9-14, with over 8 million vaccinated in phase two.
Dr. Bagudu earned her Bachelor of Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University, specialised in Pediatrics and Neonatology, and holds a diploma in Tropical Child Health and a Master's degree in Tropical Pediatrics from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom. She is a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), UK.
Outside of her professional endeavours, she is a grandmother who enjoys nature walks in her spare time.
Profile: Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu (MBBS, MRCPCH).
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a global expert in cancer care. She's a physician, healthcare entrepreneur, and a tireless advocate. 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.
Under her leadership, Medicaid has implemented critical strategies to enhance patient outcomes, based on the pillars of access, advocacy, and patient support. MCF stands as the largest non-profit in Nigeria providing free access to preventive, diagnostic, and treatment support. This initiative has increased awareness by 25.8% since 2008, reduced late-stage cancer presentations, and provided affordable treatment options. The advocacy arm actively advances policies at the state and national levels, addressing governance, prevention, supply chain management, data, research, and surveillance.
With over 30 years of experience in medical practice and healthcare entrepreneurship, including 18 years in the non-profit sector as a global cancer expert, Dr. Bagudu holds numerous thought leadership roles nationally and internationally. She 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 an active member of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer(AORTIC), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), International Society for Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), European Society for Medical Oncology, (ESMO), American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO)and others. Additionally, she contributes to global cancer awareness through the WHO's Global Breast Cancer Initiative Technical Working Group, serves as an Ambassador for World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and Senior Adviser to the Coordinating Minister of Health, on Women’s Health and Cancer Advocacy.
In her previous role as First Lady of Kebbi State, Nigeria (2015-2023), Dr. Bagudu spearheaded transformative initiatives in girl child education, women empowerment, and mentorship. Her healthcare leadership transformed Kebbi State's approach to cancer control, with initiatives like multi-stakeholder efforts, treatment access partnerships, a state cancer control plan, a cancer registry, and free HPV vaccinations for girls.
Dr. Bagudu's career highlights her dedication to expanding healthcare access and strengthening policies in Nigeria and worldwide. In 2023, she played a key role with other Nigerian stakeholders in launching critical initiatives: The National Cancer Control Program (2023-2028): The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), and the Cancer Health Fund. Her recent work and achievements specifically focus on preventing cervical cancer in women. She leads collaborations between governments, NGOs, academic institutions, and global experts to achieve the WHO's goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. A key accomplishment is the new HPV vaccination program for Nigerian girls aged 9-14, with over 8 million vaccinated in phase two.
Dr. Bagudu earned her Bachelor of Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University, specialised in Pediatrics and Neonatology, and holds a diploma in Tropical Child Health and a Master's degree in Tropical Pediatrics from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom. She is a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), UK.
Outside of her professional endeavours, she is a grandmother who enjoys nature walks in her spare time.Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu
Founder/CEO Medicaid Cancer Foundation
Board Member, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
Chairperson, First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC)
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, is a Paediatrician and an advocate for women's health, with a focus on female cancers. She obtained her Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS) degree from Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria, Nigeria) and specialised in Paediatrics and Neonatology in the United Kingdom.
Upon returning to practise in Northern Nigeria, she realised clinicians and patients had difficulty accessing diagnostic services. In response, in 2009, Dr Bagudu co-founded a comprehensive diagnostic centre in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) called Medicaid Radio-Diagnostics & Clinics. For the first time, services previously unavailable through the private sector such as Computed Tomography Scan (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), digital x-rays, molecular laboratory tests, were provided.
In that journey, Dr Bagudu was further struck by lack of cancer awareness and care. Thus, she started the Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) to increase awareness, promote preventive healthy lifestyles, and improve access to diagnostic and treatment services for cancer. The MCF has four pillars, namely: Outreach, Advocacy and Awareness, Capacity Building and Access to Treatment. It has raised over $2.5million to address gaps in cancer care.
Dr Bagudu has stepped up her cancer advocacy to a global level and was elected as a member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) board in 2018. Using this leverage, she partnered with other stakeholders to advocate for various changes in the sector such as the introduction of the single-dose HPV vaccine to Nigeria in 2023.
As Chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), Dr. Bagudu works closely with Nigerian governors spouses on various health issues.
She also sits on various committees and TWGs such as WHO's Global Breast Cancer Initiative, Nigerian National Cancer Control program, and Chairs the UICC’s Knowledge, Advocacy and Policy Committee.
Dr. Bagudu was the First Lady of Kebbi State, Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. Largely a supportive role, she spearheaded initiatives in girl child education, women empowerment, and immunisation. Most notably, she ignited a cancer revolution in Kebbi State. Under her watch, the state rolled out the first Kebbi State Cancer Control Plan, established the Kebbi State Cancer Registry, and an indigent patient treatment fund.
She is a devoted grandmother, and enjoys nature walks in her spare time.
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a global expert in cancer care. She's a physician, healthcare entrepreneur, and a tireless advocate. 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.
Under her leadership, Medicaid has implemented critical strategies to enhance patient outcomes, based on the pillars of access, advocacy, and patient support. MCF stands as the largest non-profit in Nigeria providing free access to preventive, diagnostic, and treatment support. This initiative has increased awareness by 25.8% since 2008, reduced late-stage cancer presentations, and provided affordable treatment options. The advocacy arm actively advances policies at the state and national levels, addressing governance, prevention, supply chain management, data, research, and surveillance.
With over 30 years of experience in medical practice and healthcare entrepreneurship, including 18 years in the non-profit sector as a global cancer expert, Dr. Bagudu holds numerous thought leadership roles nationally and internationally. She 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 an active member of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer(AORTIC), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), International Society for Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), European Society for Medical Oncology, (ESMO), American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO)and others. Additionally, she contributes to global cancer awareness through the WHO's Global Breast Cancer Initiative Technical Working Group, serves as an Ambassador for World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and Senior Adviser to the Coordinating Minister of Health, on Women’s Health and Cancer Advocacy.
In her previous role as First Lady of Kebbi State, Nigeria (2015-2023), Dr. Bagudu spearheaded transformative initiatives in girl child education, women empowerment, and mentorship. Her healthcare leadership transformed Kebbi State's approach to cancer control, with initiatives like multi-stakeholder efforts, treatment access partnerships, a state cancer control plan, a cancer registry, and free HPV vaccinations for girls.
Dr. Bagudu's career highlights her dedication to expanding healthcare access and strengthening policies in Nigeria and worldwide. In 2023, she played a key role with other Nigerian stakeholders in launching critical initiatives: The National Cancer Control Program (2023-2028): The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), and the Cancer Health Fund. Her recent work and achievements specifically focus on preventing cervical cancer in women. She leads collaborations between governments, NGOs, academic institutions, and global experts to achieve the WHO's goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. A key accomplishment is the new HPV vaccination program for Nigerian girls aged 9-14, with over 8 million vaccinated in phase two.
Dr. Bagudu earned her Bachelor of Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University, specialised in Pediatrics and Neonatology, and holds a diploma in Tropical Child Health and a Master's degree in Tropical Pediatrics from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom. She is a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), UK.
Outside of her professional endeavours, she is a grandmother who enjoys nature walks in her spare time.
Profile: Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu (MBBS, MRCPCH).
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a global expert in cancer care. She's a physician, healthcare entrepreneur, and a tireless advocate. 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.
Under her leadership, Medicaid has implemented critical strategies to enhance patient outcomes, based on the pillars of access, advocacy, and patient support. MCF stands as the largest non-profit in Nigeria providing free access to preventive, diagnostic, and treatment support. This initiative has increased awareness by 25.8% since 2008, reduced late-stage cancer presentations, and provided affordable treatment options. The advocacy arm actively advances policies at the state and national levels, addressing governance, prevention, supply chain management, data, research, and surveillance.
With over 30 years of experience in medical practice and healthcare entrepreneurship, including 18 years in the non-profit sector as a global cancer expert, Dr. Bagudu holds numerous thought leadership roles nationally and internationally. She 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 an active member of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer(AORTIC), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), International Society for Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), European Society for Medical Oncology, (ESMO), American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO)and others. Additionally, she contributes to global cancer awareness through the WHO's Global Breast Cancer Initiative Technical Working Group, serves as an Ambassador for World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and Senior Adviser to the Coordinating Minister of Health, on Women’s Health and Cancer Advocacy.
In her previous role as First Lady of Kebbi State, Nigeria (2015-2023), Dr. Bagudu spearheaded transformative initiatives in girl child education, women empowerment, and mentorship. Her healthcare leadership transformed Kebbi State's approach to cancer control, with initiatives like multi-stakeholder efforts, treatment access partnerships, a state cancer control plan, a cancer registry, and free HPV vaccinations for girls.
Dr. Bagudu's career highlights her dedication to expanding healthcare access and strengthening policies in Nigeria and worldwide. In 2023, she played a key role with other Nigerian stakeholders in launching critical initiatives: The National Cancer Control Program (2023-2028): The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), and the Cancer Health Fund. Her recent work and achievements specifically focus on preventing cervical cancer in women. She leads collaborations between governments, NGOs, academic institutions, and global experts to achieve the WHO's goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. A key accomplishment is the new HPV vaccination program for Nigerian girls aged 9-14, with over 8 million vaccinated in phase two.
Dr. Bagudu earned her Bachelor of Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University, specialised in Pediatrics and Neonatology, and holds a diploma in Tropical Child Health and a Master's degree in Tropical Pediatrics from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom. She is a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), UK.
Outside of her professional endeavours, she is a grandmother who enjoys nature walks in her spare time.Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu
Founder/CEO Medicaid Cancer Foundation
Board Member, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
Chairperson, First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC)
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, is a Paediatrician and an advocate for women's health, with a focus on female cancers. She obtained her Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS) degree from Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria, Nigeria) and specialised in Paediatrics and Neonatology in the United Kingdom.
Upon returning to practise in Northern Nigeria, she realised clinicians and patients had difficulty accessing diagnostic services. In response, in 2009, Dr Bagudu co-founded a comprehensive diagnostic centre in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) called Medicaid Radio-Diagnostics & Clinics. For the first time, services previously unavailable through the private sector such as Computed Tomography Scan (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), digital x-rays, molecular laboratory tests, were provided.
In that journey, Dr Bagudu was further struck by lack of cancer awareness and care. Thus, she started the Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) to increase awareness, promote preventive healthy lifestyles, and improve access to diagnostic and treatment services for cancer. The MCF has four pillars, namely: Outreach, Advocacy and Awareness, Capacity Building and Access to Treatment. It has raised over $2.5million to address gaps in cancer care.
Dr Bagudu has stepped up her cancer advocacy to a global level and was elected as a member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) board in 2018. Using this leverage, she partnered with other stakeholders to advocate for various changes in the sector such as the introduction of the single-dose HPV vaccine to Nigeria in 2023.
As Chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), Dr. Bagudu works closely with Nigerian governors spouses on various health issues.
She also sits on various committees and TWGs such as WHO's Global Breast Cancer Initiative, Nigerian National Cancer Control program, and Chairs the UICC’s Knowledge, Advocacy and Policy Committee.
Dr. Bagudu was the First Lady of Kebbi State, Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. Largely a supportive role, she spearheaded initiatives in girl child education, women empowerment, and immunisation. Most notably, she ignited a cancer revolution in Kebbi State. Under her watch, the state rolled out the first Kebbi State Cancer Control Plan, established the Kebbi State Cancer Registry, and an indigent patient treatment fund.
She is a devoted grandmother, and enjoys nature walks in her spare time.
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