Purpose: The coping mechanisms adopted by cancer caregivers especially in developing countries of the world is given little attention. The aim of this study was to assess the caregiving burden and coping mechanisms among caregivers of cancer patients attending a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. An interviewer-administered questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) tool, Katz index instrument of activity, Lawton Brody tool and Brief-Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE) scale were used to collect data from 385 informal caregiver-patient dyads. The data was analyzed using the Epi Info version 7.Results: Of the 385 caregivers in the study, 162 (42.1%) were males and 223 (57.9%) were females. Almost half (47.3%) of the caregivers had severe burden and the mean ZBI score was 39.1 ± 12.5. Adult children caregivers (56.3%) of cancer patients reported the highest proportion of severe burden among the patients’ relatives. All the respondents who had been caregivers for over a period of 12 months and those who spend at least 12 hours on caregiving role daily experienced severe burden. Almost half (46.3%) of caregivers who received no support from other people in caring for the patient reported severe burden.Conclusion: Older caregivers experienced higher caregiving burden than their younger counterparts. Duration of caregiving was associated with level of caregiving burden experienced. Social support groups and health professional need to assist caregivers reduce the burden of caregiving to chronically ill patients in sub-Saharan Africa.