By Isaac Atunlute
In much of Nigeria, the concerns of female students, elderly women, persons with disabilities, and widows remain sidelined in mainstream developmental agendas. Often women face systemic exclusion, worsened by cultural practices that deprive them of property, financial independence, and social dignity, especially after the loss of a spouse.
In Ondo State, however, a new initiative is attempting to flip that narrative.
Earlier this week, the state government launched a 10-point project, which will cater to women across a broad spectrum—that is, out-of-school girls, elderly women and those with disabilities, including widows.
Why this matters
Widows in Nigeria often bear the brunt of poverty and stigma after their husbands’ death. Many are stripped of assets, denied inheritance and pushed to the margins of society.
Where many initiatives claim to support women broadly, the Ondo State initiative stands out for its targeted interventions tailored to the vulnerabilities women face at different stages of life.
Through a range of services such as vocational training, free medical outreach, and support for elderly care, this model attempts to tackle these problems facing widows in Nigeria while linking them with business opportunities.
It also targets community partnerships as well as inter-agency relationships in an attempt to sustain the project.
A coordinated women’s empowerment initiative led by the Kaduna State government, with support from the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has allocated ₦5 billion to support 20,850 rural women and farmers.
The programme combines cash grants with non-material inputs such as fertiliser and power tillers, vocational training, digital literacy, and healthcare to build sustainable livelihoods, mirroring the multi-dimensional approach in Ondo State.
Also, in Anambra State, an initiative led by a federal legislator provided 200 widows and youths with sewing machines and grinding mills, followed with business training.
The Ondo State model is notable for its layered structure, which responds to multiple challenges at once—social, economic, and health-related matters—rather than treating them in isolation.
Too often, many women-based initiatives in Nigeria face short lifespans due to a lack of continuity, segmentation in implementation, or poor community engagement.
Also worthy of note is its varied partnership with the private sector—particularly NGOs, and development partners.
For instance, the inclusion of medical outreaches for elderly women and the disabled signals a willingness to work across sectors, bringing healthcare into empowerment spaces.
Similarly, the integration of female students into the programme could bridge gaps in school retention and future employability.
If effectively implemented, this blueprint could become a reference model for other subnational governments.
Notwithstanding its glorious vision, the success of this programme depends on its execution, especially in rural areas where access and inclusion are the toughest.
It remains to be seen how sustainable the Ondo State initiative will be. But it does promise significant social progress, if the state follows through with transparency, measurable outcomes, and consistent community engagement.
In Nigeria, women, especially female students, elderly women, those with disabilities, and widows, often face systemic exclusion due to cultural practices and development agendas that neglect their rights and needs. The Ondo State government has launched a 10-point initiative aimed at reversing this trend by providing vocational training, free medical services, elderly care, and linking women to business opportunities. This model stands out for addressing multiple vulnerabilities women face at different life stages and fostering community and inter-agency partnerships to ensure sustainability.
Other states in Nigeria, such as Kaduna and Anambra, have also embarked on women empowerment schemes, supported by organizations like the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These programs offer cash grants, vocational training, and business skills to promote sustainable livelihoods. However, short lifespans of previous women-focused initiatives in Nigeria underline the importance of continuity and segmented execution.
The Ondo State model’s success hinges on effective implementation, rural access, and sustained engagement with NGOs and development partners. If successful, this initiative could serve as a reference for other regions, leading to significant social progress, provided there is transparency and measurable outcomes.
