LAGOS, Nigeria — The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB) has expressed deep concern over new figures released by Sightsavers Nigeria revealing that millions of Nigerians are blind or visually impaired, yet only a very small percentage currently have access to vital eye health care.
CITAB described the situation as a “national shame” and a red flag for the nation’s commitment to inclusion. The Executive Chairman of the organisation, Jolomi George Fenemigho, said the revelation was more than a health concern, but an indictment on the country’s failure to provide equal opportunities and accessible systems for persons with disabilities.
“This extremely low access rate is not just an alarming health statistic; it is a national shame and a red flag,” Fenemigho said. “If blind Nigerians are unable to secure even the minimal eye health care they deserve, how much more are they missing out on accessible technology, public infrastructure, education, and fair economic opportunity? We are not merely discussing health; we are exposing a systemic failure that has left millions of our citizens out in the cold, excluded from virtually every facet of national life.”
He added that the situation reflects a nation that has chosen to look the other way while citizens continue to suffer. “This is not just about eyes that cannot see; it is about a country that refuses to see,” he said. “The result is devastating — not only is valuable human potential being wasted, but our shared values of dignity, justice, and inclusion are being undermined every day.”
CITAB called for immediate and coordinated government action to close the gap in accessibility and equality for blind Nigerians. The group emphasised the need for all government and financial service platforms to comply with digital accessibility standards to guarantee the independence of blind and visually impaired citizens. It also urged the Ministry of Education to fund and deploy assistive technology across public schools, ensuring that learning environments are inclusive and equipped with Braille display units, educational software, and accessible learning materials.
The organisation further pressed for public infrastructure to adopt universal design principles, including tactile paving, audible traffic signals, and accessible public transportation systems, making mobility a right rather than a privilege. It equally appealed for subsidies and tax waivers on essential assistive devices such as electronic canes and Braille production equipment to make them affordable and widely available.
“As long as this state of neglect continues, the promise of inclusion and progress for millions of Nigerians remains an empty slogan,” Fenemigho warned. “This moment demands courage and vision. We must act now to dismantle barriers and realise a future where every Nigerian, regardless of disability, has an equal chance to thrive.”
CITAB reaffirmed its readiness to partner with government at all levels, offering its expertise to ensure that every new policy, platform, or project is truly accessible. The organisation also called on the Presidency to establish a Special Presidential Working Group on Technological Inclusion to drive genuine, cross-sectoral progress toward full inclusion for persons with disabilities.
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