The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has called for renewed commitment to the protection, empowerment, and inclusion of widows across Nigeria, Africa, and the world as the global community commemorates International Widows’ Day 2026.
In a message marking the occasion, Senator Tinubu urged governments, institutions, communities, and individuals to reaffirm their support for widows while reflecting on this year’s theme, “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows – The African Perspectives.”
The First Lady emphasized that widows deserve to live free from discrimination, harmful traditional practices, poverty, and social exclusion. She noted that adequate legal protections must be put in place to safeguard their rights and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect.
She further stressed the importance of empowering widows through education, access to economic opportunities, and social support systems that enable them to rebuild their lives and provide for their families with hope and confidence.
Speaking on the African context, Senator Tinubu called for the eradication of harmful traditional practices that dehumanize widows, stating that such practices have no place in a modern and compassionate society.
The First Lady also advocated for policies and initiatives that promote inclusion, protect widows from injustice, and create pathways for their economic independence, noting that empowering widows contributes significantly to building safer, stronger, and more prosperous communities.
She encouraged society at large to continue demonstrating compassion and solidarity with widows and to support efforts aimed at improving their welfare and livelihoods.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu concluded by extending her best wishes to widows around the world and reaffirming her commitment to advancing their rights and well-being.
Happy International Widows’ Day 2026.