Nigeria's Government Enhances Eye Health Services by 2027

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening eye health services across the country by the end of 2027, as part of World Sight Day activities. Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, announced this initiative during the 2026 World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes.” The government has trained over 3,000 healthcare workers in 16 states and activated over 1,400 primary healthcare centres to provide eye care services.

Additionally, 1.5 million pairs of reading spectacles have been distributed, with plans to extend the initiative to 10 more states. The government has screened about 1.5 million school-age children for visual problems and will establish four new vision centres in Enugu, Edo, Sokoto, and Nasarawa states.

The initiative includes plans for 25,000 free cataract surgeries under the Renewed Hope Healthcare Connect Initiative, addressing a major cause of avoidable blindness in Nigeria.