The Federal Government announced that it has met the criteria to stop treatment for river blindness in Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Anambra states, covering more than 18.9 million people. These four states join ten others that have achieved interrupted transmission of the disease, allowing Nigeria to cease treatment for over 28 million people—more than any other country in the world.
River blindness, or onchocerciasis, is caused by the parasitic worm *Onchocerca volvulus* and is transmitted to humans through repeated bites from infected blackflies of the genus *Simulium*. Symptoms include severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and visual impairment that can lead to permanent blindness. Nigeria has the largest at‑risk population for river blindness globally, with more than 100 million people in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory affected. Despite this, the country has made the greatest strides worldwide in eliminating the disease.
Professor Bright Nwoke, chair of Nigeria’s Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee, expressed pride in the achievement, saying, “I’m proud that Nigeria, once again, serves as a beacon of inspiration not only for river blindness elimination globally but also for all the countries around the world working to eliminate neglected tropical diseases.” Dr. Wangeci Thuo, Chief of Party for USAID’s Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases East program (led by RTI International), echoed this sentiment, noting that Nigeria’s progress “serves as an example of what is possible” and calling the announcement “the largest one‑time achievement in the history of river blindness.”
Dr. Abel Eigege, Programme Director for The Carter Centre in Nigeria, added, “We thought we would treat onchocerciasis indefinitely. It was a daunting challenge that had plagued generations.”
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