By George Omagbemi Sylvester
CBM International, a global disability-inclusive development organisation, has launched the SightQuest Nigeria programme, an ambitious initiative aimed at reducing avoidable blindness and improving access to quality eye care across the country. The programme was formally unveiled in Abuja, Nigeria, bringing together public health officials, development partners, and eye-care specialists committed to tackling Nigeria’s growing burden of visual impairment.
The initiative was officially launched on 5 February 2026 at the Abuja Continental Hotel, marking the beginning of a 10-year national strategy running from 2026 to 2035. The programme is backed by an estimated €15 million investment (about ₦25 billion) from CBM International and its partners to strengthen Nigeria’s eye-health infrastructure and service delivery.
SightQuest Nigeria will initially focus on five states—Bauchi, Imo, Jigawa, Plateau, and Oyo—with plans to expand gradually to other regions. The programme seeks to increase access to cataract surgeries, affordable spectacles, early detection services, and professional training for eye-health workers.
The intervention comes amid concerns that a significant proportion of visual impairment in Nigeria remains preventable or treatable, largely caused by cataracts, glaucoma, and uncorrected refractive errors.
By strengthening eye-care systems and expanding services to underserved communities, CBM International hopes the programme will restore sight, improve productivity, and enhance the quality of life for millions of Nigerians affected by visual impairment.
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