The Federal Government has set a target of 25,000 free cataract surgeries by the end of 2027 under the Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative to reduce avoidable blindness and expand access to quality eye care across the country.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday during the commemoration of the 2026 World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes,” with the national sub-theme, “Protect Your Vision, See Clearly, Live Fully.”
Salako, who was represented by the Director of the E-Health Division, Dr. Doris Afam Aneke, said the initiative aligned with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which prioritises the integration of eye care into primary healthcare services.
He described eye health as both a public health and development priority, noting that vision problems could negatively affect education, productivity, independence and overall quality of life.
According to him, the government is working to ensure that preventable vision loss does not deprive Nigerians of opportunities to learn, work and live independently.
The minister said cataract remained a major cause of avoidable blindness, adding that the planned surgeries would restore sight and independence to thousands of Nigerians who might otherwise struggle to access treatment.
He said, “Eye health is not an isolated intervention; it is an integral part of a resilient health system and a critical component of our journey towards Universal Health Coverage.”
Salako further stressed the need to remove barriers preventing Nigerians from accessing essential eye care, particularly vulnerable populations and people in underserved communities.
“No child should be prevented from learning because of an undiagnosed vision problem, and no Nigerian should live with avoidable blindness simply because treatment is beyond reach,” he said.
Highlighting progress made through partnerships, the minister disclosed that more than 3,000 health workers had been trained across 16 states, while over 1,400 primary healthcare centres had been activated to provide primary eye care services.
He said the measures were part of broader efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure that basic eye care services were available closer to where Nigerians live.
The minister also disclosed that more than 1.5 million pairs of reading spectacles had been distributed across 16 states under the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria, also known as Jajibola 2.0.
According to him, preparations were at an advanced stage to extend the programme to 10 additional states, further expanding access to affordable vision correction.
Under the School Eye Health Programme, more than 1.5 million school-age children had also been screened for visual problems, while four new vision centres were being established in secondary healthcare facilities in Enugu, Edo, Sokoto and Nasarawa states.
Salako said the interventions were designed to strengthen referral pathways and ensure that people identified with eye problems could access appropriate treatment.
He emphasised that early detection and timely intervention were essential to preventing avoidable vision loss, urging Nigerians to take their eye health seriously.
The minister called on citizens to undergo regular eye examinations, seek medical attention when they experience vision problems and adopt healthy practices that protect their sight.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s growing role in global eye health, including its co-hosting of the first-ever Global Summit for Eye Health scheduled for November 2 in Antigua and Barbuda.
In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom S., represented by the National Coordinator of the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme, Dr. Oteri Okolo, said Nigeria had made significant progress in strengthening its national eye health framework.
She cited the country’s first Comprehensive National Eye Health Policy, which had been ratified by all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the National Strategic Eye Health Plan 2024–2028.
She said the policy and strategic plan provided a framework for improving eye care delivery and coordinating interventions across the country.
The event brought together stakeholders, including the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Sightsavers Nigeria, Clinton Health Access Initiative, CBM International, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Peek Vision and Helen Keller International.
In a joint position, the partners called for sustained investment in eye health prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation.
They stressed the importance of providing inclusive eye care services for persons with disabilities while improving access for children, women and underserved communities.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reaffirmed its commitment to working with state governments, development partners, professional associations and the private sector to expand access to quality eye care.
The ministry said its goal remained to ensure that every Nigerian could access essential eye health services regardless of their location or ability to pay.