First Lady Urges End To Harmful Widowhood Practices

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for an end to harmful widowhood practices across Africa, urging governments, communities and families to uphold the rights and dignity of widows.

In a message to commemorate International Widows’ Day 2026 on Tuesday, 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 Perspectives,” the First Lady stressed the need for stronger legal protections and economic empowerment initiatives to help widows rebuild their lives.

“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 provided with access to education, economic opportunities and social support that would enable them to live with dignity and hope.

She expressed concern over the persistence of harmful traditional practices targeted 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 further urged society to embrace compassion and inclusion while promoting policies that guarantee the welfare and protection of widows.

According to her, empowering widows economically is essential, not only for their wellbeing but also for the welfare of their families and the development of society at large.

“We must continue to promote compassion, inclusion, and policies that protect widows for a safer and more prosperous society. The society should empower widows to be able to provide for their families,” she added.

Mrs Tinubu wished  widows across Nigeria and the world a happy International Widows’ Day and reaffirming her commitment to advocating for their rights and welfare.