Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives are increasingly being recognised as vital aspects of corporate responsibility, particularly in the energy sector, where operations could significantly affect host communities.
Seplat Energy, in partnership with the NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL), has continued to demonstrate the transformative power of effective CSI across its host communities through the “Eye Can See” initiative. For over a decade, the programme has provided free and comprehensive eye care services to tens of thousands of individuals, positively impacting not just individual lives but also transforming the socioeconomic wellbeing of the broader community.
The “Eye Can See” initiative, now in its 13th year, has become a cornerstone of Seplat Energy’s CSI strategy, specifically targeting eye health in host communities. Since its inception in 2012, the programme has facilitated over 110,000 eye treatments, which include cataract surgeries, consultations, the distribution of reading glasses and health education. In addition to offering these services free of charge, the programme has provided education on conditions that often lead to vision loss, such as glaucoma, diabetes, and hypertension, among others.
Undoubtably, improved vision enables individuals to work more effectively and efficiently, resulting in increased productivity. For example, a randomised trial published in The Lancet Global Health found that providing near-vision glasses to rural tea workers in India increased their productivity by 22%, demonstrating the powerful economic benefits of addressing vision impairment. For children, better vision translates into improved educational outcomes, enabling them to learn more effectively and ultimately access better job opportunities in the future.
The impact of this initiative is perhaps best illustrated through the stories of the individuals it has helped. One such story is that of Dennis Laure, a beneficiary from Delta State who had struggled with severe eye problems for over five years. After receiving cataract surgery through the initiative, Laure regained his sight, which allowed him to return to his job and support his family.
He remarked, “I could not even make phone calls before the surgery, but now I can see very well. I am extremely grateful to Seplat Energy for giving me back my sight.” Laure’s experience is a reflection of the programme’s broader impact—restoring not only vision but independence, income, and dignity.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, approximately 2.2 billion people suffer from near or distance vision impairment, but at least 1 billion of these cases are preventable. The scale of vision impairment in Nigeria is staggering. Available data from the National Eye Health Programme (Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare) estimates that as of 2024, 4.25 million Nigerians aged 40 and above were living with moderate to severe visual impairment or blindness, with 84% of cases considered preventable or treatable. It is most likely that these figures would have increased more recently.
In Edo State, a large percentage of the affected individuals lack access to basic eye care services, exacerbating the problem of preventable blindness. This is where initiatives like “Eye Can See” play an essential role in the community. By providing free screenings, consultations, and surgeries, Seplat Energy is addressing this health crisis head-on, offering essential services that people in remote areas would not have otherwise been able to access.
The success of the programme in 2025 was remarkable, with 1,292 people screened and 53 cataract surgeries successfully carried out during the three-day event. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent lives transformed and individuals who are now able to live without the debilitating effects of untreated eye conditions.
Health Education and Empowerment: A Comprehensive Approach
The Seplat Energy JV’s “Eye Can See” initiative goes beyond mere medical intervention. It is a comprehensive healthcare model that includes health education on conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which are often linked to vision problems. Many of the beneficiaries of the programme were unaware of how conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes could affect their eyes, and the educational component of the programme has empowered them with knowledge to take proactive steps toward better health.
Government health leaders have also acknowledged this impact. Offering insight during the 2025 edition of the programme, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, emphasised the power of preventive care, stating: “More than half of the ailments that lead to blindness are treatable, and the ‘Eye Can See’ programme is showing our people that with early intervention, many of these conditions can be prevented.” His remarks reinforce the growing recognition that awareness and early action are just as critical as access to care.
Improved vision has far-reaching effects, enhancing overall quality of life and enabling individuals to participate more fully in social and economic activities. Chioma Afe, the Director of External Affairs & Social Performance at Seplat Energy, highlighted this during the 2025 edition of the programme, stating that, “We aim to not only restore sight but to provide people with the tools and knowledge to take care of their health long after the event. Health education is integral to the sustainability of the initiative, and it’s something that benefits the community in the long run.”
Seplat Energy’s CSI efforts extend beyond this one-off event. The company’s long-term plans include the establishment of a permanent eye hospital in Benin City, which will serve as a hub for continued eye health services for the people of Edo State. This new facility would not only provide care for the residents of Benin but would also help meet the needs of surrounding communities who may not have easy access to medical centres.
Already, the company had completed, equipped and handed over a fully equipped, state-of-the-art Eye Centre at the Sapele Central Hospital to the Delta State Government, on 7 October 2024. The facility is designed to serve as a hub for the treatment of all eye-related issues within the region and beyond.
By setting up a permanent eye care facility, Seplat Energy will be able to offer consistent, high-quality eye care services to the community, ensuring that no one is left behind due to a lack of medical resources. This proactive approach is essential for ensuring that the benefits of “Eye Can See” extend far beyond a single generation, cementing Seplat’s role in the sustainable development of the region.
Seplat Energy’s “Eye Can See” programme exemplifies the power of CSI to create meaningful, sustainable change. By addressing immediate health concerns, providing education, and promoting long-term healthcare solutions, Seplat has transformed the lives of thousands of people in Edo State.
The programme’s success attests to the positive role that businesses can play in fostering social and healthcare development. Through its continued support, Seplat Energy is setting the gold standard for corporate social responsibility—not just in Nigeria, but across the oil and gas sector globally.