By Raymond Ken-Mbata
The Federal Government has set a target of providing 25,000 free cataract surgeries by the end of 2027 as part of efforts to reduce avoidable blindness and improve access to eye-care services across Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced the target during the commemoration of World Sight Day 2026 in Abuja. The event was marked with the global theme “Love Your Eyes” and the national sub-theme “Protect Your Vision, See Clearly, Live Fully.”
Represented by the Director of the E-Health Division, Dr. Doris Afam Aneke, mni, the minister said eye health was both a public health and development priority because vision problems could affect education, employment, independence and quality of life.
He said the planned cataract surgeries would be delivered under the Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative, with the aim of restoring sight and improving the daily lives of thousands of Nigerians who might otherwise struggle to afford treatment.
Salako also highlighted progress under the government’s eye-health programmes, disclosing that more than 3,000 healthcare workers had been trained across 16 states and over 1,400 primary healthcare centres activated to provide basic eye-care services.
He added that more than 1.5 million pairs of reading spectacles had been distributed through the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria, also known as JigiBola 2.0, with preparations underway to extend the programme to 10 additional states.
According to the minister, the government had also intensified efforts to protect children’s vision, with more than 1.5 million school-age children screened for visual problems through the School Eye Health Programme.
Four additional vision centres were also being established in secondary healthcare facilities in Enugu, Edo, Sokoto and Nasarawa states to strengthen referrals and bring eye-care services closer to communities.
Salako said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would continue working with state governments, professional associations, development partners and private-sector organisations to expand access to affordable and quality eye care.
In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom S., mni, represented by Dr. Oteri Okolo, said protecting the sight of Nigerians was essential to human dignity, educational achievement, economic productivity and national development.
She highlighted the development of Nigeria’s first Comprehensive National Eye Health Policy, ratified by all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the National Strategic Eye Health Plan 2024–2028 and the establishment of national and state eye-health coordination structures.
Development partners, including Sightsavers Nigeria, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, CBM International, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Peek Vision and Helen Keller International, called for greater investment in prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, particularly for children, women, persons with disabilities and underserved communities.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, stressed the need to address inaccessible facilities, communication barriers and other obstacles that prevent persons with disabilities from receiving appropriate healthcare.
Other partners highlighted the importance of integrating eye care into primary healthcare, using technology to improve screening and referrals, and establishing sustainable partnerships to support lifelong vision care.
The commemoration reinforced the need for early eye examinations and timely treatment, alongside stronger public investment and community awareness. Stakeholders maintained that protecting vision should form part of routine healthcare, ensuring that preventable eye conditions do not deny Nigerians the opportunity to learn, work and live independently.
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