The Federal Government has reaffirmed its determination to tackle glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, through strategic frameworks and nationwide awareness initiatives.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the pledge during a press briefing to mark the 2026 World Glaucoma Week in Abuja. Dr. Salako highlighted the government’s focus on integrated eye care across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels, under the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan 2024–2028.
He announced the launch of the Nigeria Glaucoma Guidelines and Toolkit, aimed at standardizing diagnosis, treatment, and referral protocols. Ophthalmologists from 36 states and the FCT have been trained on the guidelines and are expected to cascade the training within their regions.
Through the JigiBola 2.0 Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative, over 2,220 primary healthcare workers across 16 states have received training and basic vision screening kits to identify at-risk individuals and refer them for proper care. In 2025, the Ministry also coordinated free glaucoma examinations and medication in the FCT and other states.
Describing glaucoma as a “silent thief of sight,” Dr. Salako urged Nigerians, particularly those aged 40 and above, to undergo regular eye examinations and adhere strictly to prescribed treatments. He stressed that nationwide public awareness campaigns, including social media outreach, will educate the public on risk factors such as age, family history, high blood pressure, and race.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom S., emphasized that nearly 1 in 20 Nigerians over 40 lives with glaucoma, with about 90% unaware of their condition until irreversible vision loss occurs. She highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to the Four-Point Agenda for health sector reform, particularly improving health outcomes and preventing avoidable blindness.
Glaucoma specialist and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdaline Ajani, warned that the disease often progresses silently and cautioned against the unsupervised use of steroid-based eye drops or unverified traditional remedies. Early signs include rainbow-like halos around lights, frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions, and reduced peripheral vision.
Dr. Salako concluded: “Together, we can reduce the burden of this disease, protect the vision of our people, and build the Nigeria of our dream.”
