Though International Widows Day was marked globally on Monday, the painful realities many widows face in Nigeria continue to unfold daily, far beyond ceremonial observance. For women like Dr. Loveth Ukaegbu, a 52-year-old widow and mother of 7, widowhood has been a journey marked by neglect, injustice, and societal pressure. Speaking with our reporter, Dr. Ukaegbu urged Nigerian men to normalize writing wills as a proactive way to protect their wives and children after death.
“The issue of widowhood in Nigeria is one of pain, anguish, and suffering. I blame men for not preparing their wives for widowhood,” she said.
“Usually, Nigerian men are averse to making wills. But I believe once a man writes a proper will and gets a good lawyer, things go smoothly for the woman after his demise. Families are less likely to intimidate her, and she can cater for the children—especially young widows. Unfortunately, because of the superstition tied to writing wills, many men fail to protect their young wives.”
Dr. Ukaegbu, who is also a lecturer at the Rivers State University, listed expensive burial rites, sexual harassment, financial struggles, and harmful cultural practices as some of the ordeals many widows face.
“Once the man dies, the widow is expected to spend a lot of money, sometimes tasking her children to organize a grand funeral. She becomes a target for exploitation. Some men try to take advantage of her sexually, and sometimes even the late husband’s relatives try to gain control over her, especially if she’s young and attractive.”
Echoing these concerns, Mrs. Regina Ayomide, a teacher at Community Secondary School in Rumuolumeni, decried the harmful traditional practices widows are subjected to. She explained that in many communities, women are forced to prove they had no hand in their husband’s death, undergoing dehumanizing rituals that often jeopardize their health.
“It’s heartbreaking. Widows are made to suffer physically and emotionally just to prove their innocence. These practices are harmful and outdated,” she said.
Mrs. Ayomide called for stronger public advocacy and legal enforcement to protect widows from cultural abuse. She urged the public to report such cases to the police, emphasizing that Nigerian laws now offer protection against such violations.
As the conversation around widowhood continues beyond the commemoration of International Widows Day, many advocates insist that what widows need is not pity, but policies, protection, and proactive action—starting with the simple but powerful step of writing a will.
