The Federal Government has announced plans to implement a fully subsidised healthcare intervention targeting vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations in rural communities across Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, at the ongoing 2025 Eyeball Summit in Abuja. The summit, themed “Shaping the Future of Eye Care in Nigeria: Strengthening Systems Through Strategic Alliances,” is organised by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN).
Salako stated that under the new initiative, essential eye care services will be provided at no cost. These include screenings for refractive errors, free prescription glasses under the JIGI BOLA 2.0 programme, cataract surgeries, and treatment for other vision-threatening conditions.
“In view of the increasing burden of visual impairment and the rising demand for eye care services, we cannot treat eye health in isolation,” Salako said. He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery across all sectors, with eye care being a critical component.
Also speaking at the summit, Obinna Awiaka, Registrar and CEO of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, described the event as a reflection of the board’s dedication to innovation, excellence, and partnership in safeguarding the vision of all Nigerians.
Awiaka emphasised that the summit’s theme reflects a crucial truth that transformational change in healthcare requires collective effort. “No single institution, regardless of its expertise or commitment, can achieve lasting impact alone,” he said.
He encouraged participants to fully engage with the summit’s opportunities learning from industry experts, participating in critical discussions, and building meaningful partnerships.
He expressed optimism that the gathering would drive sustainable progress and significantly advance the eye care sector in Nigeria.
