N25bn investment links eye care to economic growth

Nigeria has secured about N25bn in funding for a decade-long eye health intervention as Christian Blind Mission International formally launched its SightQuest Nigeria programme in Abuja on Thursday.

The SightQuest Nigeria programme is a 10-year national initiative designed to reduce avoidable blindness and visual impairment through stronger, disability-inclusive health systems, thereby improving lives and boosting economic growth.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of CBM, Dr Rainer Brockhans, said the programme marked a major expansion of the organisation’s long-standing partnership with Nigeria and was backed by a firm financial commitment of 15 million euros, about N25bn, over the next decade.

He traced CBM’s presence in the country to 1968, noting that the organisation has worked in Nigeria for 57 years and has partnered with governments at different levels to strengthen inclusive health systems.

“Today, that partnership reaches an important milestone with the launch of SightQuest Nigeria, a 10-year initiative to reduce avoidable blindness and to address refractive errors.

These are two critical public health challenges affecting millions of Nigerians,” Brockhans said.

He described the new programme as an integrated effort designed for long-term results, building on earlier collaborations, including the Plateau State Eye Health project carried out with Sightsavers and the state government, and the AOLFEIN project targeting the elimination of Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis in four states.

“With SightQuest Nigeria, we are not just simply starting another project; we are starting an integrated and comprehensive initiative to achieve lasting, long-term results for the people in need. We will ensure success through a strong focus, deeper collaboration, and unwavering commitment,” he said.

Highlighting the scale of funding, Brockhans added, “The commitment for a long time of 10 years is underpinned by a strong financial commitment. CBM is committed to spending an initial 15 million Euro or almost N25bn.”

According to him, the funding will complement CBM’s ongoing work in community-based inclusive development and inclusive humanitarian action, while additional fundraising efforts are underway to attract more donors, including potential Nigerian supporters.

The SightQuest programme will focus on expanding access to cataract surgery and refractive error services, integrating primary eye care into existing health systems, and targeting underserved groups.

“This initiative comes at a pivotal moment. Far too many people are still living with vision loss that could have been prevented or treated,” Brockhans said, adding that the programme would ensure women, children, persons with disabilities, and rural communities were not excluded.

He stressed that the initiative required broad collaboration with government institutions, professional bodies, and communities.

“We must never forget what is at stake. Behind every statistic is a life changed: a child who can finally see the blackboard, a farmer who regains independence, a grandmother who can once again recognise the faces of her loved ones. SightQuest Nigeria is about restoring dignity and ensuring every person has the chance to learn, to work, and to thrive,” he said.