The Federal Government has expressed concern over the socio-economic challenges facing more than two million widows in Nigeria, warning that harmful traditional practices, denial of inheritance rights, economic exclusion and inadequate social protection continue to undermine their dignity and wellbeing.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stated this on Tuesday in a message marking the 2026 International Widows’ Day. She described widowhood as a major development and human rights issue requiring stronger policy interventions and enforcement of existing laws.
According to the minister, many widows face emotional trauma, loss of property, economic insecurity, social exclusion and discriminatory cultural practices after the death of their spouses.
“Widowhood should never become a sentence to poverty, exclusion, discrimination or despair. Yet for many women, the loss of a spouse is followed by the loss of inheritance, economic security, shelter and dignity,” she said.
Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 International Widows’ Day with the theme, “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that widows often bear the dual responsibility of caregiving and breadwinning, especially in low-income households with limited access to social safety nets.
She condemned practices such as degrading mourning rites, forced confinement, property grabbing, denial of inheritance rights, forced remarriage and other forms of psychological and economic abuse, describing them as violations of human rights.
“These practices are repugnant to natural justice, equity, good conscience and human dignity, and have no place in a modern society,” she said.
The minister stressed that the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 criminalises harmful widowhood practices, prescribing penalties of up to two years imprisonment, a N500,000 fine, or both.
She said the government would continue to strengthen enforcement and public awareness to protect widows from abuse and discrimination.
Linking widow welfare to broader issues of social protection, gender equality and economic inclusion, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said sustainable development cannot be achieved while vulnerable women remain trapped in poverty.
To address the challenge, she said the Federal Government has expanded support through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774), covering all 774 local government areas.
Under the programme, 17 clusters of widows, each comprising 50 women, were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme through a partnership with Helpline Support for the Needy. Each cluster also received a N500,000 grant to support cooperative enterprises and income-generating activities.
The minister said beneficiaries have expanded businesses, diversified income sources and embraced urban farming to improve household food security.
She added that thousands of widows nationwide have benefited from vocational training, entrepreneurship support, agricultural programmes, financial inclusion initiatives, digital skills training and psychosocial services.
“We are witnessing a powerful shift from vulnerability to productivity, from dependence to enterprise, and from survival to economic participation,” she said.
The minister called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, development partners and governments at all levels to intensify efforts to eliminate harmful widowhood practices and expand opportunities for widows.
She noted that the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development underscores government’s commitment to strengthening family systems and protecting vulnerable groups.
“As we commemorate this day, every widow must know: you are seen, valued and not forgotten. Your strength sustains families, and your contributions remain vital to national development,” she said.
Stakeholders have also urged stronger implementation of existing laws, greater access to legal aid, expanded social welfare programmes and sustained public awareness campaigns to tackle discriminatory practices affecting widows.
They said the observance of International Widows’ Day should move beyond sympathy to concrete actions that guarantee justice, dignity and economic empowerment for widows.
