The campaign, which officially launched at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, on October 30, 2025, seeks to improve early cancer detection and treatment by extending screening services to rural and underserved communities, where access to diagnostic care remains limited and advanced cancer cases are most frequently reported.

Cancer remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with an estimated 113.6 new cases per 100,000 persons and 74.6 cancer deaths per 100,000 persons per year, according to Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2020).

Although the country’s official 2018 – 2022 National Cancer Control Plan cites annual absolute figures of around 102,000 new cases and 72,000 deaths, more recent estimates suggest the burden is even higher, underscoring the urgent need for interventions that prioritise prevention and early detection.

Speaking at the launch, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, president of the Nigeria Cancer Society, emphasised the significance of the initiative:

“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective effort to combat cancer in Nigeria, particularly within underserved rural communities.

“As a pathologist, I can attest that many of the advanced cancer cases we encounter originate from these areas, where access to early screening and preventive care is limited. This initiative is designed to bridge that gap.

“We are proud to partner with FundACause, developer of the fundraising platform to fight against cancer. The platform is now active, and we invite all Nigerians, philanthropists, government agencies, and the private sector to support this cause.”

Developed by SystemSpecs Technology Services Limited (STSL), a subsidiary of SystemSpecs Group, the FundACause platform enables individuals, groups, and organisations to raise and donate funds towards verified causes in a transparent and secure digital environment. Its deployment for the Shield for Cancer campaign underscores SystemSpecs’ commitment to leveraging technology for social good.

Rachael Ukpebor, Business Development Executive at FundACause, reflected on the human impact of the initiative: “Across Nigeria, countless individuals receive life-altering cancer diagnoses every day. The emotional and financial toll on patients and their families is immense. Many are willing to fight but lack the resources to do so. FundACause bridges this gap by connecting verified fundraisers such as NCS with compassionate donors, enabling swift and secure support.”

“This initiative is deeply personal to us. We believe technology must play a central role in delivering hope and healing to those in need. As we launch the fundraising today, we invite everyone to join us in supporting the initiative. Together, we can create lasting impact,” she added.

The ₦100 million fund will be managed under strict governance structures, with oversight from a multi-stakeholder committee comprising cancer advocates, survivors, and healthcare professionals.

This ensures transparency and accountability while maximising the impact of every donation received.

By focusing on preventive care, rural outreach, and equitable access to healthcare, the Shield for Cancer campaign aims to reduce Nigeria’s high cancer mortality rate and foster a culture of community-driven health responsibility.

The campaign calls on citizens, private organisations, and government agencies to unite in reshaping the future of cancer care across the nation.

Developed by SystemSpecs Technology Services Limited (STSL), a subsidiary of Nigeria’s indigenous technology giant, SystemSpecs Group, FundACause received the award for its impact in optimising donation-based fundraising in Nigeria and beyond.

Demola Igbalajobi, Managing Director, STSL, said the award is a recognition of how FundACause has made fundraising seamless, secure and transparent for individuals and organisations to easily raise funds for causes they care about from anywhere in the world.

“FundACause gives donors multiple payment options including card, internet banking, electronic wallet, USSD, bank transfer, phone number and eNaira – it also shows in real-time donations on the fundraiser’s campaign. The software allows for quick and easy campaign setup, live monitoring of campaigns and donations, support for overseas donations and comprehensive reports which results in transparency and accountability of fundraising activities.

“Our success story is dependent on our pursuit to positively impact humanity and make fundraising in Nigeria easier. We are incredibly satisfied with the rapid results the solution is garnering; this demonstrates its much-anticipated long-term success,” he added.

While expressing his thoughts about the future of the organisation, Demola stressed that SystemSpecs Technology Services Limited is committed to churning out innovations that enable simpler, easier, and faster financial solutions across the country.

“Our team is made up of the finest software developers and experts who are dedicated to simplifying day-to-day financial services challenges faced in the country. Nigerians should expect more pragmatic solutions from us,” he said.

At the Nigeria Fintech Awards ceremony, the Group Managing Director (GMD), SystemSpecs Group, John Obaro, also received the Special Leadership Award.

SystemSpecs has won several awards recently which has reinforced its position as the software institution of reference in Africa. Some of these awards include Software Company of the Year at the Beacon of Information & Communication Technology (BoICT) Awards (2018), Most Innovative e-Payment Company of the Year at the BusinessDay Top 25 Most Innovative Companies & Institutions Award (2017) and many more.

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PHOTO: L-r: Emmanuel Obinne, Head of Growth and Partnerships, West Africa, BPC Banking Technologies, presents the award for “Best Crowdfunding Platform” won by FundAcause to Mrs. Ire Odega, Business Development, FundAcause, SystemSpecs Technology Services Ltd., and Tereigh Ozakpo, Head, Sales and Business Development, Digital Financial Services, SystemSpecs Group, at the Nigeria Fintech Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, November 4, 2022.

FundACause is available at fundacause.net and offers fundraisers immense ease to generate funds, create awareness, track campaigns online and in real-time, share donation progress with donors, enjoy prompt funds settlement, and achieve their goals.

Donors, from within and outside Nigeria, can easily connect with any campaign that aligns with them, and donate through multiple payment options available on the platform.

“With a focus on non-investment fundraising, FundACause is the go-to platform for philanthropic individuals and organizations that seek to promote causes that touch lives.

Fundraisers can set up their campaigns securely on any cause – be it medical, education, political, social, or community causes and others; tell a story about their cause with a picture or video; set a campaign target; create awareness for campaigns and share the unique campaign link via email and preferred social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram and LinkedIn.

Also, a white-labeled version can be embedded on the fundraiser’s website.

“Donors from within and outside Nigeria can view different campaigns and make donations using any of the multiple channels available.

Fundraisers have full visibility over the campaign performance. They can also communicate with donors whilst keeping them abreast of the donation progress,” said Demola Igbalajobi, Managing Director, SystemSpecs Technology.

Igbalajobi said:

“In a society like ours where a lot more still needs to be achieved through social cooperation, FundACause will foster a community that thrives on impactful living, driving the much-needed positive change in society through fundraising activities and social interventions of well-meaning individuals and groups who strive for overall societal good and advancement,” Igbalajobi added.

FundACause was developed by SystemSpecs Technology, a subsidiary of SystemSpecs – Africa’s flagship technology services and solutions provider, which delivers diverse innovative solutions including human resources, payments, and fundraising to a variety of user segments in Nigeria and across the African continent.

FundACause is a fundraising solution for individuals, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), religious organisations, and other groups who desire to raise funds from donors within and outside Nigeria, for causes that are important to them, in a transparent and secure manner.

Developed to manage donation-based fundraising, FundACause—available at fundacause.net—offers fundraisers immense ease to generate funds, create awareness, track campaigns online and in real-time, share donation progress with donors, enjoy prompt funds settlement, and achieve their goals.

Donors, from within and outside Nigeria, can easily connect with any campaign that aligns with them, and donate through multiple payment options available on the platform.

“With a focus on non-investment fundraising, FundACause is the go-to platform for philanthropic individuals and organisations that seek to promote causes that touch lives. Fundraisers can set up their campaigns securely on any cause – be it medical, education, political, social or community causes and others; tell a story about their cause with a picture or video; set a campaign target; create awareness for campaigns and share the unique campaign link via email and preferred social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram and LinkedIn. Also, a white-labelled version can be embedded in the fundraiser’s website.

“Donors from within and outside Nigeria can view different campaigns and make donations using any of the multiple channels available. Fundraisers have full visibility over the campaign performance. They can also communicate with donors whilst keeping them abreast of the donation progress,” said Demola Igbalajobi, Managing Director, SystemSpecs Technology.

Speaking further on the need for a fundraising platform like FundACause, Igbalajobi said:  “In a society like ours where a lot more still needs to be achieved through social cooperation, FundACause will foster a community that thrives on impactful living, driving the much-needed positive change in society through fundraising activities and social interventions of well-meaning individuals and groups who strive for overall societal good and advancement,” Igbalajobi added.

FundACause was developed by SystemSpecs Technology, a subsidiary of SystemSpecs – Africa’s flagship technology services and solutions provider, which delivers diverse innovative solutions including human resources, payments, and fundraising to a variety of user segments in Nigeria and across the African continent. 

SystemSpecs is also the owner of Remita, Nigeria’s leading financial technology solution, and HumanManager, the foremost human resources and payroll solution for businesses of any size in Africa.