The Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation has disbursed N37.035 million to 185 widows in Lagos as part of activities marking the 2026 International Widows Day.

The annual zakat distribution ceremony, held at Hajj Mabrur Hall, Anthony, Lagos.

The intervention was aimed at easing the economic burden on widows, supporting their livelihoods and helping them rebuild their lives with dignity after the loss of their spouses.

International Widows Day, observed annually on June 23, was established by the United Nations to draw attention to the social, economic and legal challenges faced by widows across the world, including poverty, discrimination, property dispossession and limited access to support systems.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Prince Olagunju Sulayman, said the initiative was designed to go beyond financial assistance.

According to him, the programme is also intended to restore hope, build confidence and create opportunities for widows and their families to thrive.

“The objective of this initiative goes beyond financial assistance. It is about empowering widows, restoring confidence and creating opportunities for them and their families to thrive,” he said.

Prince Olagunju said the Foundation had recorded several success stories from previous editions of the programme, noting that many beneficiaries had used the support to establish businesses, return their children to school and improve the welfare of their families.

He added that some of the widows had been able to rebuild their lives and secure a better future for themselves and their children.

“This year’s programme is particularly significant as we are supporting 185 widows with a total sum of Thirty-Seven Million, Thirty-Five Thousand Naira,” he said.

The Foundation’s chief executive attributed the success of the initiative to the generosity of zakat payers, donors and other supporters who had continued to trust the organisation with their contributions.

He expressed appreciation to the donors, praying that Allah would reward them abundantly and accept their acts of worship.

Prince Olagunju also appealed to wealthy individuals, business owners and other people of means to support the Foundation through zakat and sadaqat contributions.

“The needs within our communities are great, and with more support, we can reach more widows, empower more families and create even greater impact,” he said.

He commended the beneficiaries for their strength, patience and resilience, praying that Allah would ease their challenges and bless their homes.

The beneficiaries, who spoke at the event, expressed gratitude to the Foundation and its donors, saying the support would help them meet family needs, restart businesses and improve their living conditions.

They also called for sustained empowerment initiatives for widows and other vulnerable families across the state.

A clinical psychologist, Hajia Nafisah Ogunbona, has urged widows to embrace faith, positive thinking and resilience as they navigate the emotional and economic challenges that often follow the loss of a spouse.
Hajia Ogunbona, who spoke at the event, described mental health as a state of wellbeing that affects how individuals think, feel and function within society.

She noted that the death of a spouse often leaves widows struggling with grief, emotional distress, frustration, financial uncertainty and hopelessness.

According to her, many widows find it difficult to imagine a happy and meaningful future after such a major loss.

“We give widows hope. We let them know that what happened to them is not the end. It is an opportunity to rewrite the script and move forward with faith,” she said.

The psychologist warned against unhealthy thought patterns such as self-blame, hopelessness and negative assumptions about the future, saying they could worsen emotional suffering and delay recovery.

“Sometimes people ask, ‘Why did Allah choose me for this challenge?’ But Allah knows our capacity. We are capable of overcoming these difficulties. What we need is to focus on what we can do to make life meaningful again,” she said.

Hajia Ogunbona urged the beneficiaries not to define themselves solely by widowhood, stressing that they remained mothers, caregivers, entrepreneurs and important contributors to society.

She said recognising these roles could help widows regain confidence and develop the motivation to rebuild their lives.

The mental health expert described the Foundation’s intervention as timely, noting that emotional pain is often worsened by financial hardship.

“Apart from the emotional challenges, there is also the financial burden. Many widows worry about caring for their children, paying bills and rebuilding their lives. Support like this can go a long way in helping them regain stability and hope,” she said.

She added that access to financial resources could enable widows to restart businesses, support their children’s education and improve their overall wellbeing.

Ogunbono commended the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation for combining emotional support with practical assistance, describing the initiative as a model for helping vulnerable people regain confidence and economic independence.