By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting widows from discrimination, harmful cultural practices, and economic hardship, as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 International Widows’ Day.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said this year’s theme, “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows,” underscores the need for deliberate and measurable actions to improve the lives of widows across the country.
The Minister paid tribute to the resilience of widows, describing them as women who continue to sustain families, nurture children, and contribute to national development despite the challenges that often accompany the loss of a spouse.
“Nigeria joins the global community in commemorating International Widows’ Day with a renewed determination to guarantee justice, restore dignity, and expand economic opportunities for widows in every community,” she said.
International Widows’ Day, observed annually on June 23, was established by the United Nations following years of global advocacy aimed at drawing attention to the plight of widows and their children. The day has since become a platform for advancing widows’ rights and promoting social inclusion.
The Minister noted that widows remain central to family and community stability, stressing that their contributions must be matched with strong institutional support. She revealed that while there are an estimated 258 million widows worldwide, Nigeria is home to more than two million widows, many of whom face significant economic and social challenges.
According to her, widowhood should never result in poverty, exclusion, loss of inheritance, homelessness, or social stigma. However, many widows continue to grapple with these realities, often while bearing the dual responsibilities of caregiving and providing for their families.
The Minister also condemned the persistence of harmful widowhood practices in some parts of the country, including degrading mourning rites, forced confinement, property grabbing, denial of inheritance rights, forced remarriage, and false accusations relating to the death of spouses.
She described such practices as violations of human dignity and emphasized that they are punishable under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which prescribes penalties of up to two years imprisonment, a fine of up to ₦500,000, or both for offenders.
Reaffirming the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister said the Renewed Hope Agenda places women, families, and social protection at the centre of national development.
She further noted that 2026 has been designated as the Year of Families and Social Development, reflecting the government’s recognition of families as the foundation of national stability and widows as critical pillars within that structure.
Highlighting ongoing interventions, the Minister said the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is implementing the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774) programme to deliver empowerment and protection initiatives across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
She disclosed that in 2025, the Ministry partnered with Helpline Support for the Needy to enroll 17 clusters of widows into the National Health Insurance Scheme, improving access to affordable healthcare and reducing financial burdens associated with medical treatment.
In addition, each cluster received a grant of ₦500,000 to support cooperative businesses and livelihood initiatives. Beneficiaries have reportedly expanded their income-generating activities, with several adopting backyard urban farming to improve household food security and nutrition.
The Minister added that thousands of widows nationwide have benefited from government programmes focused on vocational training, entrepreneurship development, digital skills acquisition, agricultural support, financial inclusion, cooperative development, and psychosocial assistance.
“These interventions are driving a transition from vulnerability to productivity, from dependence to enterprise, and from survival to economic participation,” she stated.
As part of broader efforts to strengthen women’s empowerment, the Minister linked the commemoration to the upcoming National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally, themed “The Power of 10 Million: One Voice. One Movement. One Choice.” The initiative is expected to bring together women across Nigeria, including widows, in a coordinated movement for inclusion and national development.
She called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, government institutions, development partners, civil society groups, and the private sector to intensify efforts toward eliminating harmful practices and expanding opportunities for widows.
The Minister concluded by reaffirming the Federal Government’s resolve to build a society where widowhood does not translate into vulnerability but serves as a foundation for resilience, dignity, and economic empowerment.
“On this International Widows’ Day, let us renew our commitment to justice, dignity, and economic power for widows, and build a nation where every woman can live with hope, purpose, and opportunity,” she said.