The Federal Government has announced plans to provide at least five million free pairs of spectacles and carry out 25,000 free cataract surgeries by the end of 2027 as part of efforts to expand access to quality eye care and reduce avoidable blindness across the country.
The initiative will be implemented through the expansion of the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria (Jigi-Bola 2.0) under the Renewed Hope Health Connect programme.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this while declaring open the 49th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) and the African Council of Optometry (AFCO) Annual General Meeting in Abuja.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Optometrists in a Changing Africa: From Diversity to Unity,” Salako said the President Bola Tinubu administration recognises eye health as both a public health and national development priority, stressing that preventable visual impairment continues to affect the productivity, independence and quality of life of millions of Nigerians.
“The Tinubu administration recognises eye health as a public health and development priority, noting that preventable visual impairment continues to affect the productivity, independence and quality of life of millions of Nigerians,” he said.
The minister described the Jigi-Bola 2.0 initiative as one of the administration’s flagship health interventions aimed at taking eye care services directly to underserved and vulnerable communities.
“The Jigi-Bola 2.0 programme is an iconic mobile eye care initiative that stands as a testament to Mr. President’s determination to reduce the heavy burden of eye problems in Nigeria by reaching vulnerable populations right where they live,” Salako said.
According to him, the Federal Government plans to significantly expand the programme over the next two years to ensure that at least five million Nigerians receive free spectacles, while 25,000 people suffering from cataracts undergo free sight-restoring surgeries by the end of 2027.
He explained that the expansion forms part of the implementation of the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan (2024–2028), which is designed to strengthen integrated eye care services across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities nationwide.
“The expansion of Jigi-Bola 2.0 forms part of the implementation of the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan (2024–2028), aimed at strengthening integrated eye care services across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare levels,” he stated.
Salako said the programme has already made significant progress in improving access to vision care across the country.
“The programme has already screened nearly two million Nigerians and provided over 1.3 million people with free reading glasses, with about 66 per cent of beneficiaries receiving their first-ever pair of spectacles,” he disclosed.
He noted that the milestone demonstrates both the impact of the initiative and the enormous unmet need for affordable eye care services in Nigeria, particularly among vulnerable populations.
As part of broader reforms to improve eye health services, the minister announced that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has launched the Nigeria Glaucoma Guidelines and Toolkit to standardise diagnosis, treatment and referral protocols across the country.
“The Ministry has launched the Nigeria Glaucoma Guidelines and Toolkit to standardise diagnosis, treatment and referral protocols nationwide,” Salako said.
He added that ophthalmologists from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have already been trained to implement and cascade the guidelines in their respective states.
“We have trained ophthalmologists from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to cascade the glaucoma guidelines and ensure uniform standards of care across the country,” he said.
According to the minister, the ministry is also strengthening primary healthcare capacity to facilitate early detection of eye diseases.
“Over 2,220 Primary Health Care workers across 16 states have been equipped to conduct vision screening and referrals under the Jigi-Bola 2.0 initiative,” he stated.
Salako commended members of the Nigerian Optometric Association for their contributions to improving access to eye care services across the country.
He described optometrists as frontline professionals whose work in early diagnosis, community outreach and patient referrals remains vital to reducing preventable blindness.
“Optometrists remain indispensable partners in our efforts to reduce avoidable blindness and visual impairment through community eye health promotion, early detection and timely referrals,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working closely with professional bodies and development partners to strengthen community eye care and expand access to quality vision services nationwide.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to working closely with the Nigerian Optometric Association and other stakeholders to strengthen community eye care, expand access to quality vision services and advance universal eye health coverage,” he said.
He added that the government’s ultimate goal is to ensure that quality eye care becomes accessible to every Nigerian, regardless of location or income.
“Our goal is to ensure that quality eye care is accessible to every Nigerian, regardless of where they live, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Salako said.
The minister stressed that improving eye health is essential to enhancing educational outcomes, increasing productivity and improving the quality of life of millions of Nigerians, adding that the Federal Government would continue investing in initiatives that prevent avoidable blindness and ensure universal access to essential eye care services.