Abuja, June 24, 2026 — The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen social protection systems and expand economic empowerment programmes for widows across the country, with the aim of improving livelihoods, reducing vulnerability, and promoting inclusive development.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stated this on Tuesday during activities marking the 2026 International Widows’ Day, themed “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows.”
She explained that the ministry is scaling up interventions such as health insurance coverage, financial grants, and skills acquisition initiatives designed to improve income opportunities and support sustainable living for widows nationwide.
According to her, 17 groups of widows were enrolled into the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2025, with each group receiving a ₦500,000 grant to support cooperative ventures and small-scale economic activities.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that several beneficiaries have recorded improved earnings, adding that some have also adopted backyard farming practices that have boosted food availability and strengthened household resilience.
She further disclosed that thousands of widows have participated in vocational training, entrepreneurship development, digital literacy programmes, and financial inclusion schemes aimed at promoting self-reliance and greater economic participation.
The minister said these initiatives align with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and are being implemented across all 774 local government areas in the country.
She stressed that the objective is to ensure widowhood does not lead to social exclusion or poverty, but instead becomes a pathway to empowerment and improved living standards.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that the impact of the programmes is gradually shifting beneficiaries from dependency to productivity and enterprise, reflecting growing economic inclusion.
She called on development partners and other stakeholders to continue supporting efforts to expand opportunities and strengthen welfare systems for widows across Nigeria.