Lagos supports 733 widows with empowerment programmes

The Lagos State Government has supported 733 widows as part of its efforts to enhance their welfare, safeguard their rights and provide opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. This intervention was announced during the 2026 International Widows Day celebration organized by the state's Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation on Wednesday. The event, themed "Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows," aimed to improve widows' access to justice, protection and economic opportunities.

The Ministry's Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, emphasized that support for widows should go beyond sympathy and include access to justice, protection from discrimination and harmful practices, as well as opportunities for economic independence. Dada highlighted the ministry's various support programs, including tuition-free Skills Acquisition Centres, the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative, and the Life Skills Economic Empowerment Programme. These programs are designed to create opportunities that lead to self-reliance.

Dada urged society to recognize widows' abilities and potential, urging them not to be defined solely by their loss. She also called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society organizations, communities and other stakeholders to protect widows from discrimination and harmful practices. Dada encouraged the media to highlight the resilience, achievements and contributions of widows.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the state government and the ministry for their continued support. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Rianat Onigbanjo, emphasized that support for widows was a shared responsibility involving government, families, communities, civil society organizations and the media. She praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for supporting women and vulnerable groups across the state.