Nigeria Steps Up Action to End Preventable Blindness as Health Ministry Marks 2025 World Sight Day
***Salako Urges Regular Eye Checks, Says Vision Health Key to National Development
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to tackling preventable blindness and promoting universal access to quality eye care as the world commemorates 2025 World Sight Day with the theme, “Love Your Eyes: Putting People at the Heart of Services.”
Speaking at the event to commemorate the 2025 World Sight Day
on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, represented by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen, said this year’s observance emphasizes the need for early diagnosis, treatment, and routine eye checks as a pathway to maintaining optimal vision and preventing avoidable blindness.
“Eye health is fundamental to human well-being and a key driver of socio-economic development,” Salako said.
“The theme Love Your Eyes reminds us to prioritize early diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases by qualified professionals. Regular eye checks must become part of our culture if we are to prevent avoidable vision loss.”
The event, organized by the Federal Ministry of Health (National Eye, Ear, and Sensory Functions Health Programme) in collaboration with key international partners including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), drew attention to the global burden of visual impairment and the urgent need for integrated eye health services.
Salako recalled that Nigeria joined other United Nations member states in adopting the global vision resolution to ensure access to eye care for the 1.1 billion people currently living with preventable sight loss by 2030.
“This milestone firmly establishes eye health as a critical component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said.
“Evidence shows that individuals with visual impairments struggle with daily activities, experience reduced productivity, and face socio-economic challenges that impact national development. Preventing blindness is therefore not just a health issue but a national development imperative.”
Delivering a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Ms. Kachollom Daju, represented by Dr. Otori Okolo, urged Nigerians to take personal responsibility for their eye health through regular checkups and community advocacy.
“As we commemorate the 2025 World Sight Day, I urge everyone myself included to take action,” Daju said.
“Eye health is no longer just a health issue but an integral part of every nation’s journey towards universal health coverage and economic development. I encourage all Nigerians to schedule routine eye exams for themselves, their families, and friends, and to spread the message of early detection and care.”
She stressed that the economic and social consequences of vision loss make eye health critical for national growth, especially for a youthful and productive nation like Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer of Sightsavers Nigeria, Prof. Joy Shu’aibu, commended Nigeria’s leadership in advancing the eye health agenda and aligning with global frameworks to end preventable blindness.
Prof. Shu’aibu noted that globally, over 1.1 billion people live with vision loss, while in Nigeria, an estimated 24.2 million people were affected as of 2020 a figure that underscores the urgency for sustained action.
“Sightsavers has been working for 75 years to ensure no one goes blind from preventable causes,” Shu’aibu said.
“In Nigeria, we’ve supported over 1.85 million people with eye care services and conducted more than 236 million eye examinations globally. Yet, over 85% of those with visual impairment live in low- and middle-income countries, with about 70% of people in Africa lacking the glasses they need.”
She highlighted the impact of uncorrected vision problems on children and adults, stressing that making eye care a national priority will transform lives and strengthen the economy.
“For children with visual impairments, lack of correction can lead to significant learning losses,” she said.
“Good eye health reduces inequalities, keeps children in school, and enables adults to work. Prioritizing eye care will create a healthier, more productive Nigeria.”
In a major highlight of the event, the Federal Ministry of Health signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, a leading global initiative that has established vision centers across Nigeria to improve access to affordable and quality eye care.
The initiative, described as a continuation of the “Chibu Bola 1.0” Presidential Eye Health Project, aims to expand sustainable eye care services in underserved communities nationwide.
“This partnership represents a sustainability plan to ensure that Nigerians, regardless of income or location, can access professional eye care services,” the organizers stated.
In closing, officials and partners reiterated that eye health must remain at the heart of national health planning. They urged all stakeholders governments, donors, health professionals, and citizens to invest in preventive care, promote early detection, and support those living with vision impairment.
“Together, we can prevent avoidable blindness, promote inclusive development, and build a Nigeria where everyone enjoys the right to sight,” Dr. Salaudeen concluded on behalf of the Minister.
