The Federal Government has launched a nationwide, fully subsidised eye care programme under the Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative to offer free eye care services to underserved and vulnerable Nigerians.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako made this known at the Eyeball Summit 2025 held in Abuja. The summit, themed “Shaping the Future of Eye Care in Nigeria: Strengthening Systems Through Strategic Alliances,” was organised by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN).
Salako said the new programme includes free screening for refractive errors, treatment of eye conditions, cataract surgeries, and the provision of prescription glasses through ‘Jigi Bola 2.0,’ a revitalised version of the earlier Lagos-based intervention.
“In the 2025 budget, the Renewed Hope Health Connect will fund 100 per cent subsidised healthcare services for vulnerable Nigerians in remote and underserved areas,” he stated.
He stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality eye care, regardless of income or geographical barriers. He also highlighted the need for collaboration among stakeholders—professional associations, NGOs, the private sector, and community leaders – to address gaps in training, infrastructure and service delivery.
Salako announced plans to integrate eye care into primary healthcare by training community health workers and nurses to detect and refer eye-related conditions.
He reaffirmed the administration’s support for frontline eye care professionals and called on ODORBN to clamp down on unlicensed practitioners by leveraging technology to monitor optometric practices across the country.
The minister expressed optimism that the summit would produce forward-looking strategies to build a sustainable and inclusive future for eye care in Nigeria.
