Background/aim: Hafsat eye centre, established in August 2004, is rendering eye care services focused on cataract surgical services in Birnin-Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi state. The services were commenced without a baseline data for cataract surgical services in the area. The aim of the study is to provide baseline data on cataract surgical services that could assist in planning, monitoring and evaluation of the cataract services in the state.