On World Hearing Day 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria initiated a significant change to address childhood hearing loss, a condition that often leads to children silently falling behind in classrooms due to undetected problems. Commemorating the global initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare marked the day in Abuja with a renewed commitment to tackling this issue nationwide.
This year’s theme, “From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for Every Child,” highlights the critical need to connect grassroots awareness with school-based health interventions to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to hearing care.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, explained that preventable factors such as untreated ear infections, excessive noise exposure, maternal infections during pregnancy, and limited early screening services continue to fuel hearing impairment among Nigerian children. Citing global data, Dr. Salako noted that “over 34 million children worldwide live with disabling hearing loss,” with a substantial number residing in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. He further stressed that “up to 60 per cent of childhood hearing loss is preventable” through timely vaccination, early detection, and proper ear care.
In a major policy shift, Dr. Salako announced the expansion of the National Eye Health Programme. It will now be known as the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Health Functions Programme, thereby broadening its mandate to coordinate ear, hearing, and other sensory health services across the country. Consequently, Eye Health Desk Officers in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have had their responsibilities expanded to include hearing health. The Ministry is actively developing governance structures, policies, and national guidelines to fully integrate sensory healthcare into Nigeria’s existing health system.
Beyond policy changes, the government is committed to practical actions. Plans are underway to scale up newborn hearing screening, introduce routine hearing checks in primary schools, train teachers to detect early warning signs, and promote inclusive, hearing-friendly classrooms.
Dr. Salako called upon parents, educators, healthcare providers, civil society groups, development partners, and the media to join the campaign. He emphasized that “simple measures, protecting children from excessive noise, ensuring timely vaccinations and seeking prompt medical attention, can prevent most cases of childhood hearing loss.” The Federal Government, he assured, “envisions a Nigeria where every child can hear clearly, from the sounds of their communities to the lessons in their classrooms.”
