The Federal Government has renewed its commitment to nation-wide eye health services as it targets 25, 0000 free Catarat Surgeries to close up on avoidable blindness and improved eye quality for citizens.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this at theb commemoration of the 2026 World Sight Day, in Nigeria with the theme , “Love Your Eyes”, with the national sub-theme “Protect Your Vision, See Clearly, Live Fully.”
Represented by Dr. Doris Afam Aneke,mni, the Director, E-Health Division, Dr. Iziaq, said the Federal Government considers eye health both a public health and development priority, as it impacts on education, productivity, independence and quality of life.
The minister lasted major interventions by the Federal Government and its partners, which includes, training of over 3,000 healthcare workers across 16 states and the activation of more than 1,400 primary healthcare centres to provide primary eye care services.
Furthermore, he disclosed that over 1.5 million pairs of reading spectacles had been distributed to Nigerians across the 16 states under the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria (ESCIN), also known as Jajibola 2.0, with preparations advanced to extend the initiative to 10 additional states.
Meanwhile, the Minister said government has undertaken intentional efforts to protect children's vision, with over 1.5 million school-age children screened for visual problems through the School Eye Health Programme, while four additional vision centres are being established within secondary healthcare facilities in Enugu, Edo, Sokoto and Nasarawa States.
The interventions are designed to strengthen the continuum of eye care, improve referral pathways and ensure that Nigerians can access appropriate services closer to where they live, 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. 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,” the minister said.
Dr. Salako further stated that the planned 25,000 free cataract surgeries under the Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative would restore sight, independence and productivity to thousands of Nigerians, describing cataract as a major cause of avoidable blindness in the country.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would continue to work with state governments, development partners, professional associations and the private sector to expand equitable access to quality eye care.
He finally called on Nigerians to prioritize their eye health as a personal and collective responsibility through regular eye examinations, early presentation for treatment and adoption of healthy practices that protect vision.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by Dr. Oteri Okolo said eye health remains fundamental to human dignity, educational attainment, economic productivity and individual independence, stressing that protecting the sight of Nigerians is critical to national development.
She noted that Nigeria’s eye health sector has recorded significant progress over the past decade through stronger policy governance, and Nigeria’s first Comprehensive National Eye Health Policy, ratified by all 36 states and the FCT, as well as the National Strategic Eye Health Plan 2024–2028, alongside the establishment of state and national eye health coordination structures.
She commended professional bodies, and other stakeholders for their sustained contributions to strengthening eye care services across the country.
Partners reaffirm commitment to Inclusive Eye Care as Nigeria Marks World Sight Day 2026.
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