The Nigerian government says it is rolling out multi-dimensional interventions to protect and empower vulnerable women, including widows as part of the Renewed Hope Social Impact Programme.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stated this in her keynote address on the occasion of the International Widows Day 2025 held in partnership with Helpline Social support Initiative in Abuja, Nigeria.
A release by the Special Minister’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Jonathan Eze, said Suleiman -Ibrahim used the occasion to sue for a collective call to justice, compassion, and action for millions of Nigerian widows whose voices must be heard and whose dignity must be restored.
According to her “A widow’s cry echoes through silent nights, yet her spirit does not break. She carries in her heart the pain of loss, the strength of motherhood, and the courage of survival. She builds from the ashes of absence, raises children with calloused hands and unspoken prayers. She is not weak. She is the soul of resilience. And to uplift her is to awaken the moral consciousness of our nation”.
The Minister added that “This year’s theme, “Empowering Widows: Building Resilience and Restoring Dignity,” challenges us to act with intention, reminds us that behind every statistic lies a life; a woman whose worth cannot be reduced to tradition, stigma, or circumstance. Empowering widows is not a favour, it is a duty. Restoring dignity is not optional; it is an obligation.
While citing the National Bureau of Statistics, she said ‘ there are over 15 million widows in Nigeria, many of who are the backbone of our informal economy, caregivers of orphaned children, and stewards of extended families, who are often left behind in national planning and development.
She added that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to “transforming widowhood from a condition of vulnerability into a platform of strength and resilience” as the Ministry mandate goes beyond advocacy for women’s rights, but encompasses the advancement of women, protection of children, promotion of family cohesion, and support for vulnerable populations across Nigeria.
“We are not only responding to gender-based injustices; we are actively shaping policies, championing reforms, and building ecosystems of care, empowerment, and inclusion. From policy tables to grassroots initiatives, the Ministry is driving forward a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to ensure that no widow is left behind, no child is forgotten, and no vulnerable group is overlooked”. She added.
Suleiman -Ibrahim noted that “Those who violate the rights of widows, through property theft, physical abuse, or degrading rites, must face the full weight of the law. The VAPP Act is not just a law; it is a shield, a promise, and a tool for justice”
As part of the Renewed Hope Social Impact Programmes,
* The WAVE Project (Women, Agriculture, Value-Chain & Empowerment) will empower thousands of widows and female farmers with access to land, extension services, equipment, and markets;
* Through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), widows will receive free health coverage for one year;
* Enroll widows into the National Identity Scheme, ensuring their access to vital social services;
* We are also onboarding them onto the Happy Woman App, a digital platform for empowerment, welfare services, and updates.
The Minister urge every widow who has not yet attained functional literacy or numeracy to take advantage of the adult learning opportunities offered across the country, as President Tinubu’s Administration believes in inclusive development, and no Nigerian; regardless of gender or status; should be denied the dignity that comes from being able to read, write, and count.
She therefore call on State Governments to fully implement the VAPP Act and other protective frameworks, Traditional and faith leaders to abolish all harmful widowhood practices and every Nigerian citizen to reject stigma and extend support to widows within their communities among others.
Olusola Akintonde