Nigeria Puts Eye Health In Focus: Vision For All Becomes National Priority
By STELLA JOHNSON OGBOVOVEH
AT 63, Justina Nwankwo thought her life as a tailor was over. Her vision had grown cloudy, her hands shaky, and threading a needle—once second nature—became impossible. “I could not thread a needle before; now, I teach young girls tailoring again,” she said, her face bright with gratitude after a free cataract surgery restored her sight at Optiviva Eye and Opticals in Owerri.
Her story is one among millions that underscore why Nigeria is making eye health a national priority. As the country joined the world to mark World Sight Day 2025, the Federal Government, development partners, and health advocates united under one message: “Love Your Eyes—Vision for All.”
A New National Focus on Vision
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) used the occasion to declare good eyesight a “national asset.”
At a ceremony in Dutse, Jigawa, NOA Director Ahmad Ibrahim said clear vision was essential for productivity, safety, and well-being.
“Millions of Nigerians suffer from treatable eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors. Early detection and routine check-ups could drastically reduce avoidable blindness,” he said.
Ibrahim called for increased awareness, better nutrition, and reduced screen time, warning that late intervention often leads to irreversible blindness.
Global Partnerships Driving Change
Nigeria’s renewed commitment comes as Sightsavers and Bloomberg Philanthropies launched a $75 million Vision Initiative targeting low- and middle-income countries. The programme will screen 11.5 million people, distribute 7 million eyeglasses, and perform 250,000 cataract surgeries across six nations, including Nigeria.
Prof. Joy Shuaibu, Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, said the initiative would bridge the gap in eye care, particularly in rural communities.
“Good eye health keeps children in school, adults productive, and communities thriving,” she said.
Government and Health Experts Take the Lead
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, reaffirmed the government’s resolve to integrate eye health into national development priorities. Represented by Dr. Olawole Jimoh-Salawudeen, he noted that 84% of blindness cases in Nigeria are preventable.
“Improving access to quality eye care enhances education, productivity, and quality of life,” he said.
In addition, Dr. Oteri Okolo, National Coordinator of the Eye, Ear, and Sensory Functions Health Programme, revealed that the Federal Government’s new MoU and the rollout of Jigibola 2.0 aim to improve access to affordable eyeglasses nationwide.
Reaching the Grassroots
From Kaduna to Kwara and Imo, clinics and community health centres are stepping up outreach.
In Owerri, Optiviva Eye and Opticals ran a two-week free screening campaign, providing early detection and cataract surgeries. Head Optometrist, Dr. Osinachi Nwachukwu, said many people only seek help when it’s too late.
“A simple test can prevent blindness,” she noted.
In Kaduna, the National Eye Centre conducted screenings and lectures, while in Ilorin, Kwara State, more than 300 civil servants and students received eye checks and treatment under a joint initiative with Sightsavers.
The Numbers Behind the Vision Crisis
Globally, over 1.1 billion people live with vision loss, with 90% in developing countries.
According to Dr. Bolarinwa Tota, Consultant Ophthalmologist at UITH, Nigeria mirrors this crisis, as millions live with preventable blindness due to lack of awareness and delayed care.
Dr. Aminatu AbdulRahman, Public Health Ophthalmologist, warned that the number of Nigerians aged 40 and above with moderate or severe vision loss has likely doubled since 2009 due to population growth and ageing.
She outlined five pillars of intervention: promotion, prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, stressing that the fight against blindness requires both personal responsibility and policy support.
Vision and Dignity for All
Among the elderly, sight loss often means losing independence.
Dr. Emem Omokaro, Director-General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, said vision care for older adults must be tied to insurance and social support.
“When seniors lose sight, they lose dignity. We must ensure they age meaningfully,” she said.
A Call to Action
From free community screenings to multimillion-dollar partnerships, Nigeria’s new focus on eye health reflects a shift from reactive care to preventive health culture.
As World Sight Day 2025 reminds the nation, protecting vision is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for human dignity, national productivity, and shared prosperity.
And for seamstress Justina Nwankwo, the message is deeply personal:
“Sight gave me my life back. Every eye deserves that chance.”
