By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The Federal Government says it is expanding social protection and economic empowerment programmes for widows, including health insurance coverage and financial support.
The programmes are aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening household resilience nationwide.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, said this in a press statement obtained by Persecondnews on Tuesday to commemorate the 2026 International Widows’ Day themed “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows.”
The Minister noted that the initiative reflects government’s broader commitment to strengthening social protection systems, expanding access to healthcare, and improving the economic wellbeing of widows.
“Through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774), we are operating a whole-of-government, whole-of-society framework to deliver empowerment, protection and opportunity across all 774 Local Government Areas nationwide,” she said
The Minister said the intervention is designed to expand access to social protection, strengthen livelihoods and deliver coordinated support for widows nationwide.
“In 2025, the Ministry collaborated with Helpline Support for the Needy to onboard 17 clusters of widows (50 women per cluster) into the National Health Insurance Scheme, significantly improving access to affordable healthcare and reducing catastrophic health expenditures.”
She said the health insurance enrolment is aimed at reducing medical costs and improving access to affordable healthcare for vulnerable widows.
“In addition, each cluster received a grant of ₦500,000, enabling them to expand cooperative enterprises, strengthen livelihoods, and grow sustainable businesses supporting household income generation and community resilience across local economies nationwide.”
The Minister disclosed that the grants are supporting small businesses and cooperative ventures, helping widows expand income-generating activities and improve household resilience.
“Across the country, thousands of widows have also benefited from the Ministry’s empowerment portfolio, including vocational training, entrepreneurship support, digital skills acquisition, agricultural inputs, start-up kits, financial inclusion initiatives, cooperative strengthening, and psychosocial support interventions.”
She noted that the programme is already producing results nationwide, with widows gaining skills, financial support and tools needed to build sustainable livelihoods.
According to the Minister, widows remain central to family survival and community stability, stressing the need for sustained investment in their welfare and empowerment across all levels of governance nationwide.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to inclusive development under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises women, families and vulnerable groups across Nigeria.
The Minister also called for national support for widows, urging all stakeholders to intensify efforts to expand opportunities for widows and eliminate barriers to their economic participation nationwide across communities.
The International Widows’ Day, observed annually on June 23, is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries.
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