Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu MBBS MRCPCH is a global expert in cancer care. She’s a paediatrician and founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF).

Under her leadership, MCF has grown into a significant provider of free access to cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment support. The foundation has increased awareness by 25.8% since 2008, reduced late-stage cancer presentations, and provided affordable treatment options.

Dr. Bagudu holds numerous leadership roles nationally and internationally. She serves as a Senior adviser on Women’s health and cancer to the Minister of Health, co-chairs the Nigerian Cervical Cancer Elimination task force and has been elected thrice to the board of directors for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).  Further, she contributes to the advisory board of the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC), coalition to strengthen the HPV community (CHIC) and is a global Ambassador for World Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

In her role as First Lady of Kebbi State, Nigeria (2015-2023), Dr. Bagudu spearheaded partnerships between WHO, CHAI, Medicaid and Kebbi State government to screen and treat 40, 000 women for cervical cancer. She also facilitated free HPV vaccinations for schoolgirls.

Using her social capital, she advocated for introducing HPV vaccine to Nigeria. This was finally achieved in 2023 and thus far, 13 million Nigerian girls have received the vaccine.