Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – More than 1.4 million Nigerians receive free reading glasses within one year under the Federal Government’s Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative, Jigi Bola 2.0, marking one of Africa’s largest vision-care rollouts.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, discloses this on Tuesday during a 2026 ministerial briefing, noting the programme targets five million beneficiaries nationwide.
“This initiative demonstrates that primary healthcare can deliver vision care at scale,” Salako says.
Implemented across 16 states, the programme records a 94 per cent utilisation rate, with 65 per cent of beneficiaries receiving their first-ever glasses and women accounting for 53 per cent of recipients.
Salako says over 2,200 health workers are trained, 811 facilities activated, and real-time digital tracking deployed.
“We are restoring sight, dignity and economic opportunity,” he adds.
The programme expands to more states in 2026, supported by local and international partners.
About the Author
Korede Abdullah 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Otamere Gladness