By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

ABUJA — The Presidency has stressed that Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful national development without prioritising eye health, as experts warn of a looming vision crisis driven by the country’s heavy dependence on imported eye care products.

The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Salma Ibrahim Anas, made the assertion on Wednesday while declaring open the second edition of the EyeBall Summit 2026 in Abuja.

The summit, organised by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, brought together policymakers, health professionals, researchers, and investors to address challenges in Nigeria’s eye care sector.

Describing eye health as a critical but often neglected component of development, Anas said improved access to quality eye care is essential for building a healthier and more productive society.

“The eye is the window to the world. Without good health, including eye health, we can never have meaningful development. Health is therefore a critical component of our national development,” she said.

She noted that the theme of the summit aligns with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in advancing universal health coverage and ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing quality healthcare.

Anas emphasised the need for sustainable financing, innovation, and strong partnerships to improve eye care outcomes, while also calling for greater integration of eye health services into the country’s primary healthcare system, especially at the grassroots level.

She urged stakeholders to translate discussions from the summit into actionable strategies that would strengthen the health system and expand access to care.

Earlier, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of ODORBN, Obinna Awiaka, warned that Nigeria risks a major vision crisis due to its near-total reliance on imported optical products.

Describing the situation as “appalling and unsustainable,” Awiaka said Nigeria lacks local manufacturing capacity for basic optical materials such as lenses, frames, screws, and cleaning solutions.

“It is shocking that in a country as large as Nigeria, nothing in the optical value chain is manufactured locally. What happens if global disruptions cut off supply? How will millions replace their glasses?” he asked.

He also highlighted widespread gaps in access to eye care services, noting that millions of Nigerians live with preventable or treatable vision impairments due to poor infrastructure, inadequate workforce distribution, and limited access to professional services.

According to him, poor vision has far-reaching implications for education, workforce productivity, and overall quality of life.

Awiaka called for increased investment, local manufacturing, and the adoption of emerging technologies such as tele-optometry, artificial intelligence, and digital health platforms to improve service delivery.

He further urged financial institutions, including the Bank of Industry, to prioritise funding for healthcare initiatives, while stressing the importance of workforce development and sustained public awareness on regular eye examinations.

The EyeBall Summit is expected to serve as a platform for policy dialogue, innovation, and investment aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s eye health sector and expanding access to quality optical services nationwide.