Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has flagged off the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions Project to commemorate the 2025 International Widows Day.
The Minister also reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to delivering real support and opportunities to widows across the country, through the Intervention Programme.
She gave the affirmation at an exhibition event to mark International Widows Day in partnership with Helpline Social Support Initiative.
While noting that widows face deep social and economic challenges, the Minister said President Tinubu is taking bold steps to provide real support and opportunities for those who need it most, including widows.
“Trust me, this is our commitment to every widow in Nigeria. Some we cannot reach, but when we work together, we’re going to reach each and every one. We remain committed to ensuring no woman is left behind.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim enrolled over 250 widows into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme with a one-year subscription and promised to uplift their voices and work for a future where they thrive.
17 widow cluster groups also got Five Hundred Thousand Naira each, to boost their businesses.
In her welcome address, the President of Helpline Social Support Initiative, Dr. Jummai Ahmadu, said the event was a call to action to build resilience, and restore dignity through sustainable support systems, empowerment programmes, and inclusive policies for widows who face not just grief but layers of vulnerability, financial exclusion, cultural stigmatization, and emotional isolation.
“This occasion serves as a platform to honour the courage of widows across Nigeria and to amplify our collective responsibility in addressing the socio-economic challenges they face. We believe empowerment is not charity; it is a right, and we are here to help make that right a reality. To our widows here today, you are not forgotten. Your resilience fuels our mission. Your stories give meaning to our work. And your future remains our collective priority,” She said.
She appreciated the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to vulnerable women through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Initiative, saying the timely intervention does not only bring relief, but is a clear demonstration of what happens when compassion meets policy, and when leadership is anchored in equity, empathy, and impact.
The 2025 International Widows Day, themed “Empowering Widows: Building Resilience, Restoring Dignity,” featured free NHIS onboarding, financial awareness sessions, and digital marketing skills training, designed to provide widows with tools for economic independence and improved well-being.
There was also a presentation of food palliatives and dignity kit packages.