By Reportcircle Abuja
Nigeria on Tuesday took a decisive leap toward eliminating avoidable blindness and expanding Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and global eye-health innovation leader, Peek Vision.
The agreement signed at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja ushers in a nationwide digital transformation of eye care, enabling Nigeria to deploy smartphone-based screening, real-time data systems, and strengthened referral pathways to reach millions who currently lack access to essential eye services.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the partnership as “a crucial milestone in our collective journey toward Universal Health Coverage.”
He lamented that millions of Nigerians continue to suffer from preventable visual impairment particularly cataract, glaucoma, and uncorrected refractive errors conditions made worse by shortages of eye-care specialists in rural communities.
But the new MoU, he said, signals the government’s readiness to harness technology at scale.
“We are embracing the digital revolution,” Salako declared. “Peek Vision has created simple, scalable tools that can turn a smartphone into a medical device, enabling healthcare workers, teachers and community agents to conduct accurate screening even in the most remote communities.”
MoU Anchored on Three National Commitments
The agreement focuses on three strategic pillars:
1. Digital eye screening powered by robust national data systems
2. Training and capacity building for primary health workers and teachers
3. A coordinated care pathway to ensure screened individuals receive timely treatment
According to the minister, the initiative aligns fully with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the National Health Policy and the National Strategic Eye Health Development Plan, and will be backed by regulatory oversight, infrastructure support and expanded human resources.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Director of Public Health Dr. Godwin Ntadom said the partnership reflects the Ministry’s strategic push to strengthen primary healthcare through “technology-driven, high-impact interventions.”
“This is not just an MoU, it is a national blueprint to expand access, especially in underserved populations,” Ntadom said. “By combining government reach with Peek Vision’s innovation, we are moving closer to eliminating avoidable vision loss in Nigeria.”
Speaking after the signing, Peek Vision CEO, Prof. Andrew Bastawrous, said the technology empowers health workers to screen people who rarely visit clinics due to fear, cost or lack of awareness.
“Our tools allow screening at homes, schools or workplaces,” he explained. “Many people don’t know their condition can be treated. You don’t have to wait for them to come we go to them.”
He highlighted how Peek’s data platform uncovers barriers to care, tracks referrals and ensures no patient is forgotten.
He recalled an instance where mistranslation of a medical term discouraged patients from seeking care an example of how simple data insights can transform outcomes.
“The reason we’re signing this agreement today is to make sure this technology becomes available across Nigeria,” he said. “There are close to 25 million people waiting whose vision can improve if we act.”
Implementation begins immediately, supported by partners including Sightsavers, CBN and Manhattan, with an ongoing programme already screening 5,000 individuals and targeting 1.2 million schoolchildren within two years.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. Oteri Okolo, National Coordinator of the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Programme, praised the collaboration as a decisive step toward preventing avoidable blindness.
“What we have witnessed marks the beginning of a purposeful journey to advance eye health for the greater good of our nation,” she said, expressing gratitude to the Honourable Minister, Peek Vision, development partners, the media, and the Ministry’s technical and legal teams.
With this partnership, the Federal Government has positioned digital eye care as a key pillar of Universal Health Coverage one that restores dignity, boosts productivity and expands opportunity for millions at risk of vision loss.
For Nigeria’s health sector, the message is clear: the future of eye care is digital, decentralised and within reach of every citizen.
