The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) /Seplat Energy Joint Venture has launched its "Eye Can See" programme in Akwa Ibom State, targeting over 6,000 people across Uyo, Eket, and Ibeno during the week-long exercise. The programme provides free eye screening, treatment, reading glasses, and sight-restoring surgery for eligible patients. This is the first edition of the initiative in Akwa Ibom State, fulfilling a commitment made to the Akwa Ibom State Government following Seplat Energy's acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited assets.
At the launch, Chairman of Seplat Energy Plc, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, emphasized that the programme aims to contribute proactively to the development of communities where Seplat Energy operates. He stated that responsible operations must be matched by meaningful social investment that responds to identified community needs and delivers lasting benefits. Udoma added that good vision supports learning, work, independence, and dignity, and that professional eye care helps people regain opportunities that may have been lost.
The Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, Engr. Effiong Okon, revealed that the "Eye Can See" programme began in 2012 in Edo, Delta, and Imo states, with a clear purpose of preventing avoidable loss of sight. Over 14 years, the programme has screened 130,771 patients, distributed 67,491 pairs of glasses free of charge, and performed 5,350 sight-restoring surgeries. In 2025 alone, it reached 13,726 beneficiaries, distributed 7,074 pairs of glasses, and completed 471 surgeries.
Okon stated that the initiative has grown beyond periodic outreach into lasting local capacity. In Edo State, the 2025 edition was hosted at the Palace of the Oba of Benin, reflecting the value of working through trusted institutions. In Delta State, the Joint Venture built the Sapele Eye Centre, which supports eye care and surgery throughout the year. Okon cited the Sight First programme in Imo State as evidence that the model can be adapted to local needs.
The Akwa Ibom edition of the programme will provide free eye screening, treatment, corrective glasses, and sight-restoring surgery for eligible patients. Medical teams will also screen for glaucoma, hypertension, and diabetes, conditions that often go undetected until they cause serious harm. The programme is part of the Joint Venture's commitment to improving access to quality healthcare and supporting shared prosperity in its host communities.
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by Deputy Governor Senator Dr Akon Eyakenyi, described the programme as a timely intervention for people whose lives and productivity have been affected by visual impairment. The Governor noted that cataract accounts for about 43 per cent of blindness in Nigeria and emphasized the importance of timely access to professional care to prevent avoidable loss of sight.
One beneficiary, Rose Edenteghe, a teacher, expressed gratitude for the programme, saying it gave her back her sight and dignity. She had previously paid for surgery on one eye but was unable to afford treatment for the other. The "Eye Can See" programme has made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of people, and its expansion to Akwa Ibom State is expected to bring similar benefits to the local community.
Key points
- The programme aims to screen over 6,000 people across Uyo, Eket, and Ibeno.
- The initiative has screened 130,771 patients and performed 5,350 sight-restoring surgeries over 14 years.
- The programme provides free eye screening, treatment, reading glasses, and sight-restoring surgery for eligible patients.
