Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for the abolition of harmful widowhood practices across Africa, urging governments, communities and families to uphold the rights and dignity of widows.
In a message marking International Widows’ Day 2026, Mrs Tinubu said widows deserve to live free from discrimination, poverty, exclusion and all forms of dehumanising treatment.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows – The African Perspective,” the First Lady stressed the need for stronger legal protections and economic empowerment programmes to help widows rebuild their lives and secure their futures.
“Today, on International Widows’ Day 2026, I urge us to reaffirm our support for widows across Nigeria, Africa and the world,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu noted that widows should be protected by laws that safeguard their rights and provide access to education, economic opportunities and social support systems that enable them to live with dignity and hope.
She expressed concern over the persistence of harmful traditional practices directed at widows in some African societies, describing such customs as dehumanising and unacceptable.
“In Africa, we must do away with harmful traditional practices that are dehumanising to widows,” she said.
The First Lady also called for greater compassion and inclusion, urging policymakers and stakeholders to implement measures that guarantee the welfare, protection and empowerment of widows.
According to her, economic empowerment is critical not only to the well-being of widows but also to the welfare of their families and the broader development of society.
“We must continue to promote compassion, inclusion and policies that protect widows for a safer and more prosperous society. Society should empower widows to provide for their families,” she added.
Mrs Tinubu extended her goodwill to widows across Nigeria and around the world, reaffirming her commitment to advocating for their rights, welfare and economic empowerment.