The Christian Blind Mission (CBM) has committed €15 million (about N25 billion) to improve eye care services in 14 Nigerian states, targeting preventable blindness and visual impairment.
The announcement was made by Dr. Rainer Brockhaus, CBM CEO, during the launch of the SightQuest Nigeria Programme in Abuja, themed “A Journey Towards Inclusive Eye Health.” The initiative will run from 2026 to 2035, focusing on cataract surgeries, refractive error services, and expanded access for vulnerable communities.
Dr. Brockhaus highlighted that avoidable blindness and refractive errors affect millions of Nigerians, and the programme aims to deliver measurable outcomes, including a 30 per cent increase in effective cataract surgical coverage in 10 states by 2030.
The launch was attended by senior officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, who reiterated the federal government’s commitment to reducing preventable vision loss. Dr. Salako noted plans to provide free cataract surgeries for 25,000 Nigerians by the end of 2026.
CBM Country Director Samuel Omoi called on government agencies, partners, and professional associations to support the initiative to eliminate avoidable blindness in the targeted states.
Visual impairment remains a critical public health challenge in Nigeria, with the National Blindness and Low Vision Survey estimating around 4.25 million adults affected, including 1.13 million blind adults aged 40 and above. The North-West zone bears the highest burden at 28.6 per cent of blind adults.
The programme complements ongoing federal initiatives, such as a new eye care hospital and a diabetes and cancer research centre, aimed at improving access to quality health services for vulnerable populations.
Through this long-term investment, CBM aims to strengthen Nigeria’s eye care infrastructure, enhance productivity, and promote social inclusion for millions of visually impaired citizens.
