By Gabriel Ameh
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting widows from harmful cultural practices while expanding economic empowerment programmes aimed at improving their livelihoods across Nigeria.
Speaking on Tuesday to mark the 2026 International Widows’ Day, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said widowhood should never become a pathway to poverty, exclusion, discrimination or loss of dignity.
This year’s commemoration is themed “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows,” with the government calling for stronger action to guarantee legal protection, social inclusion and economic opportunities for widows nationwide.
The minister noted that Nigeria is home to more than two million widows, many of whom face significant socio-economic challenges while carrying the responsibilities of caregiving and providing for their families.
According to her, the loss of a spouse often exposes women to multiple forms of vulnerability, including disinheritance, property grabbing, economic hardship and social stigma.
She expressed concern over the continued existence of harmful widowhood practices in some communities, including forced confinement, degrading mourning rites, forced remarriage and accusations linked to the death of spouses.
“These practices violate the dignity and rights of women and have no place in a modern society,” she said.
The minister stressed that such acts are punishable under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, which prescribes penalties including imprisonment, fines or both for offenders.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to protecting vulnerable citizens through the Renewed Hope Agenda, with women and social protection occupying a central place in national development efforts.
She revealed that through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774), the Ministry is implementing empowerment and protection programmes across all 774 local government areas of the country.
The minister disclosed that in 2025, the Ministry partnered with Helpline Support for the Needy to enrol widows into the National Health Insurance Scheme, improving access to healthcare and reducing medical costs for beneficiaries.
She added that participating widow clusters also received grants to strengthen cooperative businesses, improve household incomes and support sustainable livelihood initiatives, including urban farming projects.
Beyond financial support, she said thousands of widows have benefited from vocational training, entrepreneurship development, digital skills programmes, agricultural support, financial inclusion initiatives and psychosocial services.
According to the minister, these interventions are helping many widows transition from dependence to self-reliance and active economic participation.
She called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, development partners, private sector stakeholders and governments at all levels to intensify efforts to eliminate harmful widowhood practices and create more opportunities for widows.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim assured widows across the country that the government remains committed to building a society where widowhood does not translate into vulnerability but serves as a platform for resilience, dignity and economic empowerment.
International Widows’ Day is observed annually on June 23 to raise awareness about the challenges faced by widows and to promote policies that protect their rights and welfare worldwide.
