Smiles of hope and renewed confidence as the first set of beneficiaries received free eye care services on Day 1 of the NNPC-Shell Vision First Initiative in Badagry. The programme is helping improve access to quality eye care through vision screening, treatment, and corrective interventions for members of the community.
LAGOS, Nigeria — More than 10,000 Nigerians have benefited from the Vision First healthcare initiative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) since the programme was launched in 2022.
The latest edition of the initiative is taking place this week in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, bringing free eye care and other essential health services to hundreds of residents from Badagry and surrounding communities.
Vision First is part of the Health-in-Motion programme operated by NNPC and SNEPCo to improve access to healthcare in underserved communities across Nigeria.
At the opening ceremony, SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams, represented by General Manager, Corporate Relations, Abubakar Ahmed, said the initiative was designed to ensure that access to quality healthcare is not determined by where people live or their ability to pay.
“Vision First is more than an outreach programme—it is a promise. A promise that quality healthcare should not be limited by geography, income, or circumstance,” Adams said.
Vision First expands access to eye care
The Badagry outreach is the sixth edition of Vision First and is being implemented in partnership with the Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Badagry Local Government Council.
The programme provides comprehensive eye-care services, including consultations, screening, treatment and the distribution of eyeglasses where required.
Beyond eye care, beneficiaries are also receiving cardiovascular screening, medical consultations, treatment for mild and chronic illnesses, laboratory tests and pharmaceutical services.
The outreach also includes the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets as part of efforts to address broader community health needs.
The organisers said the programme is particularly important for communities where access to specialised healthcare services can be constrained by distance, income and limited medical infrastructure.
NNPC urges residents to prioritise early detection
The Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Olanarenwaju Igandan, urged residents of Badagry and neighbouring communities to take full advantage of the free medical services.
Igandan, represented by Advisor, Community Relations, Usman Mohammed Bello, encouraged parents, workers, traders, teachers, elders and other residents to participate in the outreach.
He stressed the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in improving health outcomes and preventing avoidable complications.
“Early detection and treatment of health conditions can significantly improve quality of life and prevent avoidable complications,” he said.
Shell highlights human impact of healthcare investment
Adams said the impact of Vision First should be measured not only by the number of people screened or treated but also by the changes the intervention makes in the lives of beneficiaries.
He noted that behind every consultation, treatment and pair of glasses provided through the programme is an individual whose ability to work, study or care for family members can be significantly improved.
The initiative, he said, reflects the broader commitment of SNEPCo and its partners to supporting sustainable development and improving the quality of life in communities where they operate and beyond.
Lagos, Badagry officials commend initiative
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, District 5, Dr Asiyanbi Oladapo, and Chairman of Badagry Local Government Council, Babatunde Hunpe, commended NNPC and SNEPCo for their continued support for the Vision First programme.
The Executive Director of Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, the implementing partner for the initiative, Prof. Olukorede Adenuga, also urged residents to utilise the available services.
He noted that relatively simple healthcare interventions can produce significant improvements in people’s lives when delivered early and effectively.
NNPC, Shell deepen community investment
Since its establishment in 1993, SNEPCo has supported social investment programmes in Nigeria spanning health, education and human capital development, alongside its core oil and gas operations.
The company has continued to support initiatives aimed at improving healthcare access, developing Nigerian talent and strengthening local capabilities while contributing to Nigeria’s energy sector.
The expansion of Vision First highlights the growing role of strategic partnerships between energy companies, government institutions and non-governmental organisations in extending essential healthcare services to underserved communities.
With more than 10,000 beneficiaries recorded since 2022, the initiative is emerging as a significant component of NNPC and SNEPCo’s community-focused health investment in Nigeria.
