Lagos seeks stronger legal, economic support for widows

The Lagos State Government has called for stronger legal and economic support for widows, saying the death of a spouse often leaves women facing financial hardship, discrimination and the burden of raising their families alone.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, made the call on Wednesday at a press parley in Lagos to mark the 2026 International Widows Day, with the theme, “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows.”

Dada said government intervention must move beyond sympathy to addressing the structural challenges that leave widows vulnerable, particularly by improving their access to justice and economic opportunities.

“Support for widows must go beyond sympathy. It must include access to justice, protection from discrimination and harmful practices, as well as opportunities that enable them to become economically independent,” she said.

She said the ministry had been supporting widows with cash grants and other interventions aimed at helping them meet immediate household needs and establish sustainable livelihoods.

The commissioner listed tuition-free vocational training at the ministry’s Skills Acquisition Centres, business equipment provided through the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative and the Life Skills Economic Empowerment Programme among the interventions available to women.

“These interventions are guided by a simple principle: support should create opportunity, and opportunity should lead to greater self-reliance,” Dada said.

She argued that widowhood should not become a permanent definition of a woman’s identity, urging society to recognise the skills, experience and potential of widows rather than viewing them primarily through their loss.

“A widow should not be defined by her loss. She should be seen as a woman with abilities, experience, aspirations and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to her family and society,” she said.

Dada also urged female-focused non-governmental organisations working with the ministry to sustain community-level interventions for widows.

She called on journalists to change the way stories about widows were told, saying their resilience, businesses, achievements and contributions to their communities deserved as much attention as the difficulties they faced.

“The stories of widows should not only be told from the perspective of their challenges. We must also tell stories of their strength, enterprise, achievements and contributions to their families and communities,” the commissioner said.

She encouraged widows to take advantage of the state’s empowerment programmes, saying their circumstances should not determine their future.

“Your circumstances may have changed, but your abilities and potential remain valuable. Do not allow your present situation to define your future,” Dada added.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Rianat Onigbanjo, said widows needed opportunities capable of protecting their rights, rebuilding their confidence and helping them achieve economic independence.

Onigbanjo described support for widows as a shared responsibility of government, families, communities, civil society organisations and the media.

She commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for supporting programmes targeting women and vulnerable groups, while also acknowledging the Women Affairs Department, led by Olufunke Shyllon, for keeping issues affecting women and widows on the ministry’s agenda.