WorldStage– Nigeria could unlock $2.45 billion in economic benefits by 2030 if governments, donors, and the private sector prioritize investment in eye health, according to new projections from international development organization Sightsavers.
With over 24.2 million Nigerians currently living with vision impairment, failing to address preventable eye conditions poses a significant drag on national labor productivity, human capital development, and overall economic output.
Prof. Joy Shu’aibu, Country Director of Sightsavers, made the case for treating eye care as an economic imperative in Abuja ahead of World Sight Day. Citing research by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), the Seva Foundation, and the Fred Hollows Foundation, Shu’aibu highlighted that simple, cost-effective interventions—such as basic cataract surgeries and prescription spectacles—offer extraordinarily high returns on investment.
Data from the IAPB demonstrates that early eye care intervention for children can boost their lifetime earning potential by up to 49%, directly influencing future labor quality and household income generation.
“The solutions already exist. Glasses, cataract surgery, and stronger eye care systems can transform lives, yet too many people still cannot access the support they need,” Shu’aibu noted, emphasizing that integrating eye health into existing health and road safety frameworks directly supports universal health coverage and economic participation.
The call for strategic investment comes ahead of the inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health in November, where global leadership and private-sector actors are expected to make financial and policy commitments toward eliminating avoidable vision loss.
Currently, visual impairment disproportionately impacts economic inclusion across the country, with women and girls representing over half of affected individuals. Globally, more than 85% of people living with untreated vision loss reside in low- and middle-income markets.
To bridge the delivery gap, Sightsavers is executing the Focus on Clear Vision initiative in collaboration with state governments and local stakeholders. The program focuses on capacity building, training teachers and health workers in primary eye screening, equipping facilities, and conducting targeted community outreaches.
Ahead of World Sight Day, Sightsavers is partnering with the Kaduna, Sokoto, and Zamfara state governments to roll out free screening programs aimed at early detection and treatment—a micro-level intervention designed to safeguard local workforce productivity.
