FG strengthens support for widows nationwide

The Federal Government says it is strengthening social protection and economic empowerment programmes for widows nationwide to improve livelihoods, reduce vulnerability and promote inclusive development in line with its broader social welfare agenda.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said this on Tuesday to commemorate the 2026 International Widows’ Day, observed globally under the theme, “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows.”

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the ministry was expanding support for widows through health insurance coverage, grants and skills development programmes designed to enhance economic opportunities, improve welfare outcomes and promote sustainable livelihoods nationwide.

According to her, 17 clusters of widows were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2025, while each cluster received a N500,000 grant to support cooperative businesses and livelihood activities.

“We are encouraged that many beneficiaries have improved their income streams. Several have also embraced modern backyard farming, improving food security and household resilience,” the minister said while highlighting programme successes.

The minister said thousands of widows had benefited from vocational training, entrepreneurship support, digital skills acquisition and financial inclusion initiatives aimed at enhancing self-reliance, productivity and participation in economic activities.

She added that the interventions aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda’s focus on social protection and inclusive development, noting that programmes were being implemented across the country’s 774 local government areas.

According to her, the goal is to ensure that widowhood does not translate into poverty, exclusion or vulnerability, but instead provides opportunities for empowerment, economic participation and improved living standards.

“We are witnessing a shift from vulnerability to productivity, from dependence to enterprise, and from survival to economic participation,” she said, underscoring the impact of government interventions on beneficiaries.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim called on stakeholders to support ongoing efforts aimed at expanding opportunities, strengthening social protection mechanisms and improving the welfare and economic prospects of widows across Nigeria.