FG Warns Against Harmful Widowhood Practices as Nigeria Marks International Widows’ Day
Dr. Nafisat Makinde, Abuja
The Federal Government has warned that harmful widowhood practices remain criminal offences punishable under Nigerian law, as the country joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 International Widows’ Day. In a statement issued on Monday, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim said more than two million widows in Nigeria continue to face economic hardship, discrimination and social exclusion following the death of their spouses.
The minister said practices such as disinheritance, property grabbing, forced remarriage and degrading mourning rites remain prevalent in some communities despite existing legal protections. She described such acts as violations of the rights and dignity of widows and called for stronger efforts to eliminate them.
According to the statement, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act prohibits harmful widowhood practices and prescribes penalties of up to two years imprisonment, a fine of up to ₦500,000, or both for offenders. “These practices have no place in a modern society and government will continue to strengthen enforcement and public awareness to ensure widows are protected,” the minister said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said widowhood should not result in the loss of inheritance, shelter, economic security or social protection, noting that many widows are left to care for their families under difficult socio-economic conditions. She said the challenges faced by widows require sustained support from government, communities and other stakeholders.
The minister said the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has continued to expand programmes aimed at improving the welfare of widows through healthcare access, business support and skills development initiatives. She noted that widow groups were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2025 through a partnership with support organisations to improve access to affordable healthcare.
The statement added that grants were provided to widow cooperatives to support small businesses and other income-generating activities, while thousands of beneficiaries have also received vocational training, entrepreneurship support, digital skills development, agricultural assistance and financial inclusion support. The ministry said the interventions are designed to strengthen economic resilience and improve livelihoods among widows nationwide.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector to intensify efforts to eliminate harmful widowhood practices and expand economic opportunities for widows. Nigeria marked this year’s International Widows’ Day under the theme, “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows.”