NNPC Foundation: We’re Poised To Restore 1,000 Sights Through Cataract Surgeries
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation says it has anticipated restoration of 1,000 sights through its ongoing free cataract screening and extraction surgeries on patients drawn from six states in the South-west.
The Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Barr Emmanuella Arukwe, flagged off the exercise at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Arukwe said the gesture was part of the organisation’s drive to combat challenge of vision impairment and preventable blindness in Nigeria.
The MD who was represented by Mrs Teniola Abu noted that visual impairment “is more than a health issue—it is a social and economic crisis, as vision loss directly affects productivity, independence, and overall quality of life.”
She said the 1,000 free cataract surgery programme, which commenced in the South-West, will expand to other geopolitical zones across the country in the coming months.
“Its purpose is to combat the widespread issue of vision impairment caused by cataracts, a condition that has severely impacted many Nigerians.
“At the NNPC Foundation, we understand that vision is not merely a sense—it is a fundamental enabler of human dignity and opportunity. This understanding is at the core of our initiative.
“Through this programme, we aim to provide free cataract screenings, surgeries, and public education on eye health. We anticipate restoring sight to up to 1,000 individuals in the South-West. Beyond the numbers, this means transforming lives—helping breadwinners regain their livelihoods, empowering students to pursue their studies, and enabling individuals to experience the joys of life once again,” Arukwe said.
One of beneficiaries, Mr Bankole Rahman, applauded the foundation, saying the gesture has gone a long way in reducing out of the pocket spending of the beneficiaries.
“This is the second time I am undergoing this surgery. I spent N270,000 on the right eye. I have been battling this (vision impairment) for about ten years.
“We are happy with the gesture and urge the foundation not to rest on their oars,” he said.
