In Five Years, S/Arabia Performs 21,000 Eye Surgeries on Nigerians
In a powerful demonstration of medical diplomacy and humanitarian outreach, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has performed over 21,000 eye surgeries on Nigerian citizens in the last five years.
This remarkable feat is part of a broader blindness prevention initiative launched by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in October 2019.
The campaign, which targets vulnerable and underserved populations, has also provided more than 218,000 eye screenings and distributed over 45,000 prescription glasses across Nigeria.
The latest leg of the programme, dubbed the “Saudi Noor” ophthalmic volunteer initiative, was officially announced in Abuja on Tuesday by the Press Attaché of the Saudi Embassy, Mohammed Al-Sahabi.
It is set to run from May 12 to 19, 2025, in Yobe State—a region grappling with fragile healthcare infrastructure and high rates of preventable blindness.
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The outreach will deliver free diagnostic eye exams, cataract surgeries with intraocular lens (IOL) implants, treatment for refractive errors, and distribution of corrective eyewear—all at no cost to patients.
Directed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s vision of extending humanitarian aid globally, particularly in the health sector.
“This programme reaffirms the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to alleviating suffering and improving health outcomes among populations in need,” said Al-Sahabi.
Globally, KSrelief has earned a reputation as one of the most active humanitarian agencies.
Since its inception in 2015, it has implemented over 3,400 projects in 107 countries, with current operations spanning more than 30 nations. Ongoing eye care missions are simultaneously active in Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh, and Mauritania.
In Nigeria, the impact has been profound—particularly in rural areas where access to specialized medical care remains scarce.
Thousands of Nigerians, once plagued by preventable vision loss, have regained their sight thanks to the Saudi-backed interventions.
The Yobe outreach is expected to build on this legacy, bringing renewed hope and vision to hundreds more in need.
