Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government plans to perform 25,000 free cataract surgeries by the end of 2027, alongside expanding primary eye care and vision screening, in a push to prevent avoidable blindness and restore sight to thousands of Nigerians.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced the target on Thursday in Abuja during an event marking the 2026 World Sight Day.
Salako, who was represented by the Director of the e-Health Division, Mrs. Doris Afam-Aneke, said the surgeries would be delivered under the government’s Renewed Hope Health Connect programme. “As part of our Renewed Hope Health Connect, we’re embarking on performing 25,000 free cataract surgeries across the country by the end of 2027. This target is ambitious, but it is achievable,” he said.
He said the initiative was intended to restore not only sight but also the independence, productivity and quality of life of people whose vision had been impaired by cataracts.
To bring services closer to communities, the government has activated more than 1,400 primary healthcare centres nationwide to provide essential eye care services.
Salako added that more than 3,000 healthcare workers had been trained across 16 states to strengthen the prevention, early detection and management of common eye conditions at the community level.
He said integrating eye care into the primary healthcare system remained central to the government’s strategy, particularly for underserved communities where access to specialist services may be limited. “A major pillar of our eye health strategy has been the integration and expansion of primary eye care services across the country. The evidence is clear,” he said. “Sustainable progress in eye health can only be achieved when services are available at the point closest to the people.”
About the Author
Korede Abdullah 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Hope Ajayi