The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting widows across Nigeria, calling for stronger action to ensure justice, dignity and economic empowerment for them.
In a statement to commemorate the 2026 International Widows’ Day, themed “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows,” the minister said widowhood should never translate into hardship, exclusion or loss of dignity, but should instead be met with structured national support systems that enable resilience and productivity.
She noted that while widowhood often brings emotional pain, many women rise above grief to sustain families, support children and preserve hope in difficult circumstances.
Nigeria joined the global community in observing the day, which originated from a 2005 advocacy initiative by the Loomba Foundation and was later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010, with the first official global observance held in 2011. The day is now used worldwide to promote widows’ rights, eliminate discrimination and strengthen social inclusion.
The minister stressed that widows are central to family survival and national development, adding that their contributions should not be ignored or undermined.
She disclosed that globally, hundreds of millions of women are widows, while Nigeria has more than two million widows who often face severe socio-economic challenges, including loss of income, property rights, shelter and social protection.
According to her, many widows are left to raise children alone while confronting poverty, inequality and social stigma.
She also condemned harmful widowhood practices still found in some communities, including degrading mourning rites, forced isolation, disinheritance, property seizure, accusations of involvement in a spouse’s death, forced remarriage and other forms of emotional and economic abuse.
The minister described these practices as unjust and incompatible with human dignity, adding that they have no place in a modern society.
She further declared that such acts are criminal under Nigerian law, referencing the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which prohibits harmful widowhood practices and provides penalties including imprisonment, fines, or both for offenders. She assured that government would continue enforcement efforts while increasing awareness to ensure victims are protected.
Hon. Sulaiman-Ibrahim reiterated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to inclusive development under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with strong emphasis on women, families and social protection.
She highlighted that the year has been declared the Year of Families and Social Development, recognising the family as the foundation of national stability and widows as essential pillars within it.
Through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention initiative, the ministry is implementing a nationwide empowerment framework across all local government areas to improve welfare, protection and economic opportunities for vulnerable groups.
She also noted recent interventions, including collaboration with partners to enrol groups of widows into the National Health Insurance Scheme, improving access to affordable healthcare and reducing financial strain from medical expenses.
In addition, beneficiaries received financial support to strengthen cooperative ventures, expand small businesses and improve livelihoods, with many reportedly engaging in urban agriculture and other income-generating activities that enhance food security and household stability.
Across the country, thousands of widows have benefited from empowerment programmes covering vocational training, entrepreneurship development, digital skills, agricultural support, start-up tools, financial inclusion schemes, cooperative strengthening and psychosocial assistance.
According to the minister, these efforts are gradually shifting widows from vulnerability to productivity and from dependence to economic participation.
She also linked the commemoration to the National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally, themed “The Power of Millions: One Voice, One Movement, One Choice,” designed to unify women across the country into a collective platform for empowerment and national development.
The minister called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector to intensify efforts toward eliminating harmful practices and expanding economic opportunities for widows.
She reaffirmed that under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is working toward a future where widowhood does not lead to vulnerability but instead becomes a pathway to resilience, dignity and economic strength.
She concluded by urging continued commitment to building a society where every woman, regardless of circumstance, can live with hope, purpose and opportunity.
Happy International Widows’ Day.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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