The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing eye health outcomes across Nigeria, citing the need for strong leadership, strategic collaboration, and inclusive partnerships to achieve nationwide impact.
This reaffirmation was the central message delivered by Dr. Paul Ntadom, Director of the Public Health Department, at the 4th National Eye Health Coordination Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.
In his keynote address titled “Strengthening Leadership, Strategic Collaboration, Partnership, and Progress Towards Improved Eye Health Outcomes in Nigeria,” Dr. Ntadom emphasized the pivotal role of visionary leadership in ensuring equitable access to quality eye care services.
“Leadership is not just about position, it’s about vision, action, and impact,” he said. “Strong and collaborative leadership is essential to develop effective policies, mobilize resources, and integrate eye care into the broader health system, ensuring no one is left behind.”
Calling for a multisectoral approach, Dr. Ntadom urged collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, healthcare providers, private sector actors, and local communities. “We must measure progress by outcomes—by increased access to quality services in underserved areas, data-driven policy implementation, and empowered communities,” he added.
Welcoming participants to the event, Dr. Okolo Oteri, Director and National Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme (NEHP), noted the presence of representatives from all 36 states, international partners, civil society organizations, and eye health desk officers.
“This platform is not just a meeting; it is a movement,” Dr. Oteri declared. “Together, we are shaping the future of Nigeria’s eye health ecosystem.”
She reiterated the Ministry’s mission to deliver patient-centered, integrated eye care throughout a person’s life. “Our focus is on the people of Nigeria,” she said. “We will continue to lead, partner, and innovate until every citizen—regardless of location or means—has access to quality eye care.”
The meeting drew praise from long-time international partners such as Sightsavers. Representing the Country Director, Dr. Joshua Ibenu reflected on more than seven decades of partnership with Nigeria, starting with the fight against river blindness and expanding into broader eye care services.
“We envision a world where no one is blind from preventable causes,” said Dr. Ibenu. “This coordination meeting provides visibility and momentum to the cause of eye health. It is encouraging to see national and state-level actors coming together to share best practices and build a united front.”
He also noted the increasing integration of sensory health into national eye health planning and called for stronger implementation of policies at the state level. “There is always room for improvement,” he said, “but the foundation is strong, and collaboration is deepening.”
From the states, practical success stories were shared. Dr. Sam Bodawa, Eye Health Desk Officer in Gombe State, outlined progress made through NEHP’s support.
“Before NEHP’s intervention, eye care in Gombe was nearly non-existent,” Dr. Bodawa said. “Now, we’ve trained 231 primary healthcare workers in 77 facilities, making basic eye services accessible even in remote villages.”
He highlighted the success of programs targeting diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, as well as the distribution of more than 31,000 reading glasses through the “Jiggy Bola” initiative. “People who once depended on traditional healers now have trained health workers nearby. That’s a real impact,” he added.
He encouraged his fellow state officers to carry the lessons from the meeting back to their communities and strengthen local programming.
The two-day meeting, attended by stakeholders including VisionSpring, CBM International, CHAN, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, aimed to produce actionable strategies to improve eye health delivery. Key areas of focus include better data systems, enhanced policy dissemination, and the integration of eye care into primary health services.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through NEHP, reiterated that lasting progress will require shared responsibility, inclusive planning, and strategic alignment across sectors.