Lagos Begins Massive Health Drive for 10,000 Truck Drivers with Free Eye Tests and NDLEA Drug Screening

Lagos State has launched a high-impact offensive against road accidents, targeting the “human factor” behind heavy-duty vehicle crashes. On Monday, the state government rolled out a specialized health and safety intervention designed to provide free eye care and medical checkups to 10,000 truck and commercial drivers.

The program, which was flagged off at the Lilypond Terminal in Apapa, is a direct response to the occupational hazards faced by drivers in Nigeria’s commercial nerve center. With many drivers admitting they have never had a formal eye examination, the state is providing on-the-spot screenings and free corrective glasses to ensure that those navigating 30-ton trailers have the “20/20 vision” required for the job.

“Our drivers are the engines of the economy, but they must be healthy to keep that engine running safely,” said Hon. Hassan Adekoya, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport and Logistics. “This is not just about giving out glasses; it’s about social inclusion. We are making sure the men who spend 15 hours a day on our roads are physically and mentally fit to return home to their families.”

The intervention goes beyond eyesight. In a strategic partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), drivers are also undergoing substance abuse screenings. Officials warned that “hidden impairments” caused by illicit drugs are a major contributor to highway carnage, and the exercise serves as both a deterrent and a support system for those needing rehabilitation.

Spread across four key locations, including the Lekki Free Trade Zone and Obalende, the four-day drive also offers 2,000 drivers the chance to be recertified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) at no cost.

As the first batch of beneficiaries walked away with new glasses and a clean bill of health on Monday, transport unions hailed the move as a “life-saving relief” for a workforce often ignored by traditional healthcare systems.