By Nafisat Makinde
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs commemorated International Widows’ Day on June 23, 2025, with a call to action to empower widows and restore their dignity. The event, themed “Empowering Widows: Building Resilience and Restoring Dignity”, was marked with direct support to 250 widows, who each received ₦20,000 to augment or expand their businesses.
Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said, “Empowering widows is not a favour, it is a duty. Restoring dignity is not optional; it is an obligation. She is not weak. She is the soul of resilience.”
The Ministry unveiled several initiatives to support widows, including the Clean Cooking for Rural Women Initiative, WAVE Project, financial inclusion, health insurance, and national identity scheme. These initiatives aim to provide energy-efficient stoves, agricultural support, digital banking access, health coverage, and vital social services to vulnerable women.
The widows also received new bank accounts through Premium Trust Bank, enrollment into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for one year, and integration onto the Happy Woman App, a digital platform for empowerment and welfare services.
The Minister called on state governments, traditional and faith leaders, and private sector players to invest in inclusive financial tools, health schemes, and enterprise solutions for widows. “You are seen. You are valued. You are not alone. You are an emblem of courage and the lifeblood of our collective resilience,” she added, addressing the widows.
In a statement signed by Jonathan Eze, Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, “The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs remains committed to championing the rights and dignity of widows across the nation. Today’s event is a testament to our unwavering resolve to support and empower them.”
Widows in Nigeria face numerous challenges, including property dispossession, harmful widowhood rites, economic exclusion, and social abandonment. The Minister urged Nigerians to reject stigma and extend support to widows within their communities.
