The Federal Government plans to provide 25,000 free cataract surgeries across Nigeria by the end of 2027. The aim is to cut avoidable blindness and bring eye care closer to people.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced the plan in Abuja on Thursday. He spoke at the 2026 World Sight Day event, themed “Love Your Eyes.” The national sub-theme was “Protect Your Vision, See Clearly, Live Fully.”
Dr Doris Afam Aneke, Director of the E-Health Division, represented the minister.
Surgeries Under Renewed Hope Health Connect
The surgeries will run under the Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative. According to the minister, they will restore sight, independence and productivity for thousands of people.
He said the government treats eye health as a public health and development priority. Poor vision affects education, work and quality of life.
Progress So Far
The minister listed what has been achieved with partners:
- More than 3,000 health workers trained across 16 states.
- Over 1,400 primary healthcare centres activated to offer basic eye care.
- More than 1.5 million pairs of reading glasses distributed in those states.
The glasses came through the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria, also called Jajibola 2.0. Preparations are advanced to extend it to 10 more states.
Focus on School Children
More than 1.5 million school-age children have been screened for vision problems. The School Eye Health Programme carried out the screenings.
Four new vision centres are also being set up in secondary health facilities. They will be in Enugu, Edo, Sokoto and Nasarawa states.
Salako said no child should struggle in class because of an undiagnosed vision problem. He added that no Nigerian should live with avoidable blindness because treatment is out of reach.
Policy Gains and Global Role
The Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, spoke through Dr Oteri Okolo. She said the eye health sector has made strong progress over the past decade.
She pointed to Nigeria’s first Comprehensive National Eye Health Policy, which all 36 states and the FCT have ratified. She also cited the National Strategic Eye Health Plan 2024–2028.
Nigeria is also co-hosting the first Global Summit for Eye Health on November 2 in Antigua and Barbuda.
Partners Call for More Investment
Partners at the event urged more funding for prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation. They stressed the needs of vulnerable and underserved groups.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, wants persons with disabilities placed at the centre of eye health policy. He said inaccessible facilities and communication barriers still limit their access to care.
Sight savers Nigeria, CHAI, CBM International, One Sight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Peek Vision and Helen Keller International pledged continued support. CHAI called for eye care to be built into primary healthcare. Peek Vision highlighted the role of technology and quality data in linking people to care.
