Jigi Bola 2.0 demonstrates an integrated primary healthcare model that delivers results at scale
Abuja, Nigeria, February 10, 2026–A proven model for integrating eye care into primary health systems is scaling across Nigeria. Livelihood Impact Fund, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and Vital Strategies today announced their support for the Nigerian government’s expansion of the Presidential Initiative Jigi Bola 2.0 to a total of 21 states, building on first-year success that delivered reading glasses to over a million people. The expansion aims to reach an additional million Nigerians by the end of 2026, demonstrating what is possible when vision care is embedded in primary healthcare.
Partners joined the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Adekunle Salako, Sr. Special Assistant to the President on Media and Aid Mr. Temitope Ajayi, and the National Coordinator for the National Eye, Ear, and Sensory Functions Health Programme Dr. Oteri Eme Okolo to share major progress on the initiative. Through Jigi Bola 2.0, primary healthcare workers are trained to provide vision screenings and ready-to-wear reading glasses, with the goal of reaching five million Nigerians by 2027. In just one year, the program screened 1.5 million Nigerians and provided 1.3 million people with free eyeglasses across 16 states. The majority of recipients—over a million—received their glasses through the primary health system. The next phase of Jigi Bola 2.0 will expand integrated eye care services to 8 additional states, aiming to reach another million Nigerians with eyeglasses in 2026.
Most adults over 40 require reading glasses due to presbyopia, an age-related condition affecting 1.8 billion people globally—including an estimated 25 million Nigerians. Despite the simple solution—eyeglasses that cost around US$1 to manufacture—presbyopia remains one of the most neglected issues in global health, with 800 million people worldwide living without access to correction. The economic impact is enormous: global annual productivity losses are estimated to be US $25 billion.
Nigeria, a country of 230 million people, is pioneering a solution by building a national eye health program that brings services to the last mile. The program makes reading glasses accessible at the point of care, primarily through primary and community health workers, with ongoing expansion to over-the-counter channels via Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors and pharmacies. Two-thirds of Jigi Bola 2.0 recipients received their first-ever pair of eyeglasses, and more than half have been women—highlighting the program’s success in reaching Nigerians previously excluded from access. Primary health workers are also screened and receive a pair of reading glasses if needed.
Eyeglasses have been shown to increase productivity and income by up to 30 percent. They help people perform their near-vision tasks safely and accurately, and they also prevent people from prematurely leaving the workforce due to near-vision impairment. An investment case developed for Nigeria shows that every US$1 million invested in eye health could generate more than US$22 million in economic and livelihood benefits through gains in productivity, employment, and learning. As the program scales, these impacts are expected to accelerate job creation and expand opportunities in the private sector.
The initiative demonstrates that integrating vision screening and eyeglasses distribution into primary healthcare systems is a proven model for scaling. However, sustained impact requires policy changes to systematize the approach and ensure all Nigerians in need can access services.
Partnerships driving implementation and scale
Partners are working in close collaboration with the government to achieve these results:
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) is working closely with the National Eye, Ear, and Sensory Functions Health Programme to train primary health workers, manage eyeglasses supply chains, build community demand, and monitor dispensing.
- Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN) through its network of faith-based leaders and community mobilizers, is reaching people with eyeglasses in hard-to-reach communities.
- Vital Strategies will support partners in efforts to scale and sustain eye care by providing public health policy, regulatory and advocacy support that help create a more enabling ecosystem for eye care access.
- Livelihood Impact Fund is supporting partners’ operations through ongoing funding for JigiBola 2.0, including the cost of one million pairs of eyeglasses in 2026.
- Founders Pledge, a global nonprofit empowering entrepreneurs to do the most good possible with their charitable giving,provided funding to RestoringVision to deliver two million pairs of eyeglasses.
- RestoringVision is supporting CHAN’s operations in program design and oversight, supply chain logistics, and monitoring and evaluation.
About Jigi Bola 2.0
The Presidential Initiative, Jigi Bola 2.0, was launched under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership with the efforts of the Honorable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, and the Honorable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Adekunle Salako. The program is spearheaded by National Coordinator Dr. Oteri Eme Okolo and the team at the National Eye, Ear, and Sensory Functions Health Programme.
The program aims to integrate eye care into Nigeria’s national primary health system. The program trains primary healthcare workers to provide vision screenings and distribute ready-to-wear glasses, with the goal of reaching five million Nigerians by 2027.
Quotes from partners
“Jigi Bola 2.0 has delivered impact far beyond our initial goals: it restores vision, dignity, and economic prospects for countless Nigerians. The program reduces health disparities, improves safety of health services, bolsters local healthcare systems, and establishes Nigeria as a frontrunner in primary healthcare-led eye care across Africa. It powerfully reflects President Tinubu’s dedication to renewing hope. With this initiative, we are demonstrating to the world an effective model for tackling presbyopia on a large scale,” said Dr. Oteri Eme Okolo, National Coordinator of the National Eye, Ear, and Sensory Functions Health Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
“Livelihood Impact Fund commends the Nigerian Government’s leadership on the scale and impact of Jigi Bola 2.0. Each pair of glasses is tied to an individual who can once again read, write, sew, mend, fix, farm, and see their digital devices. Beyond vision, the eyeglasses are improving Nigerians’ independence, livelihoods, and dignity,” said Abigail Steinberg, Executive Director of the Eyeglasses Initiative at Livelihood Impact Fund. “We are thrilled to see the program scale even further in 2026, and we encourage the Government to support full integration of vision screening and near-vision glasses distribution into primary health infrastructure. We are ready to work alongside and support efforts to make sure all Nigerians can benefit from this initiative in the future.”
“The progress of the JigiBola 2.0 Initiative reflects the strength of an implementation approach rooted in primary healthcare and delivered in close partnership with the government. From the outset, the focus has been on expanding access through primary healthcare facilities, bringing affordable reading glasses closer to the communities that need them most and embedding vision care within routine service delivery,” said Dr. Olufunke Fasawe, Country Director of the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Nigeria. “And we are already seeing tangible impact, with beneficiaries reporting improved ability to read, work, and carry out daily activities. These gains translate into better productivity and quality of life. Building on this momentum, the program is planning expansion to eight additional states, in alignment with the President’s ambition to reach five million Nigerians and ensure that no one is left behind due to avoidable near-vision impairment.”
“Through Jigi Bola 2.0, more than one million Nigerians have regained clear sight and renewed hope. Through integration into a strong primary healthcare system and community networks, His Excellency President Tinubu is increasing access to one of the simplest, most cost-effective, and transformative tools for improving lives and livelihoods. Vital Strategies is proud to partner on this initiative that will ensure 5 million Nigerians have the glasses they need to work, learn, and thrive,” said Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, President and CEO of Vital Strategies.
About Vital Strategies
Vital Strategies is a global health organization that believes every person should be protected by an equitable and effective public health system. We work with governments, communities and organizations around the world to reimagine public health so that health is supported in all the places we live, work and play. The result is millions of people living longer, healthier lives.
To find out more, please visit www.vitalstrategies.org or follow us on LinkedIn.
About Livelihood Impact Fund
The Livelihood Impact Fund seeks to meaningfully and durably improve the lives of the global poor. LIF backs interventions that can deliver five times or more the present value of increased future earnings per dollar spent. Notably, its flagship eyeglasses initiative aims to reach 800 million people with low-cost readers, enhancing productivity, income, and well-being at scale.
To find out more, please visit https://www.livelihoodimpactfund.org/ or follow us on LinkedIn.