FG says over 1.4 million Nigerians have received free reading glasses under Jigi Bola in just one year
FG says over 1.4 million Nigerians have received free reading glasses under Jigi Bola in just one year
……More states to be added in 2026.
No fewer than 1.4 million Nigerians have received free reading glasses under the Federal Government’s Jigi Bola 2.0 programme.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, revealed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the State House in Abuja.
According to him, 1,444,581 people have benefited from the scheme within its first year. The programme is part of the President’s plan to distribute five million free pairs of reading glasses to Nigerians who need them.
Salako said more than 1.5 million Nigerians aged 40 and above have also been screened across 16 states so far. He described the initiative as one of the largest vision care efforts in Africa.
The states currently benefiting include Lagos, FCT, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Delta, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Plateau, Ogun, Kwara, Benue, Sokoto, and Jigawa.
The minister disclosed that the programme recorded a 94 percent usage rate, while 65 percent of beneficiaries received their first-ever pair of glasses. He added that women made up 53 percent of recipients, helping to close the gender gap in access to eye care.
Salako explained that the initiative also strengthened primary healthcare by training 2,216 health workers and activating 811 primary healthcare centres to offer basic eye services such as screening, counselling, and referrals.
Three vision centres were also equipped to provide glasses at subsidised rates. They are located at Alimosho General Hospital in Lagos, Ijebu-Ode General Hospital in Ogun State, and Idanre General Hospital in Ondo State.
He added that a digital dashboard is being used to track screenings and glasses distributed in real time across the country.
On funding, Salako said the Livelihood Impact Fund is supporting the cost of one million glasses for 2026, while Founders Pledge and Restoring Vision have funded two million more pairs.
The minister noted that faith-based organisations played a key role, with the Christian Health Association of Nigeria alone distributing over 200,000 glasses.
Sharing testimonies, Salako said the initiative has helped Nigerians work better, earn more income, and reconnect with their faith through improved eyesight.
He announced that the programme will expand next year to Nasarawa, Rivers, Oyo, Enugu, Taraba, Osun, Ogun, and Edo, with new vision centres planned for Edo, Enugu, Nasarawa, and Sokoto.
Salako said the project reflects the President’s commitment to improving healthcare, livelihoods, and economic opportunities for Nigerians.
