Nigeria Marks World Hearing Day 2026, Expands National Eye Programme to Tackle Childhood Hearing Loss
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters |Abuja, March 3, 2026
The Federal Government has expanded the mandate of its National Eye Health Programme to include ear and sensory health services as Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate World Hearing Day, unveiling a broader strategy aimed at preventing childhood hearing loss and strengthening early detection across schools and communities nationwide.
The commemoration, led by the Federal Ministry od Health and Social Welfare in Abuja on Tuesday, aligns with the global campaign spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO). This year’s theme, “From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for Every Child,” underscores the need for coordinated interventions linking community awareness with school-based screening programmes to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind.
Speaking in a statement to mark the day, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako according to press statement e-signed by the ministry’s Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako highlighted the growing burden of childhood hearing impairment in Nigeria. He noted that preventable causes such as untreated ear infections, excessive noise exposure, maternal infections during pregnancy, and limited early screening services continue to contribute significantly to hearing loss among children.
“Hearing is fundamental to communication, learning, and social integration. When unaddressed, hearing loss can lead to delayed speech development, poor educational outcomes, and long-term socio-economic challenges,” Salako stated. He added that up to 60 per cent of childhood hearing loss is preventable through timely interventions, including vaccination, early detection, and proper ear care.
Globally, according to WHO data, over 34 million children live with disabling hearing loss, with low- and middle-income countries bearing a disproportionate share of the burden. Health experts warn that without urgent action, millions more could face avoidable lifelong disability.
As part of Nigeria’s renewed response, the Minister announced that the National Eye Health Programme has been restructured and renamed the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Health Functions Programme, expanding its scope to coordinate ear, hearing, and other sensory health services nationwide. The move, he explained, is in line with WHO recommendations and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing the burden of hearing loss.
To drive implementation, Eye Health Desk Officers across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have had their mandates broadened to cover hearing health. The Ministry is also developing governance frameworks, policies, and national guidelines to institutionalise hearing and sensory health within the country’s healthcare system.
Salako emphasised that effective hearing care must begin at the grassroots. He urged parents, caregivers, and primary healthcare workers to watch for early warning signs such as delayed responses to sound, frequent ear pain, or speech delays, and to seek timely medical attention.
He further disclosed that the government plans to expand newborn hearing screening, introduce routine hearing checks in primary schools, train teachers to identify early signs of hearing difficulties, and promote inclusive, hearing-friendly classrooms.
Calling for collective action, the Minister appealed to parents, educators, healthcare providers, development partners, civil society organisations, and the media to support efforts to safeguard children’s hearing.
“The Federal Government envisions a Nigeria where every child can hear clearly — from the vibrant sounds of their communities to the lessons in their classrooms — and remains committed to ensuring hearing care for every child,” he assured.
