The Hands of God Widows Support Initiative (HOGWIN) has announces the launch of its landmark Widows Financial Inclusion (WiFin) Project, a bold and transformative response to the urgent need for increased investment in widows and their economic empowerment. Recognizing that financial inclusion for widows is not only a matter of social justice but an economic imperative, HOGWIN is calling on policymakers, financial service providers, development partners, and the private sector to rally behind this initiative to elevate the economic status of Nigeria’s hitherto neglected and economically disadvantaged widows. 

Nigeria is home to millions of widows, many of whom face compounded disadvantages such as social stigma, limited access to credit, and exclusion from economic opportunities. These barriers not only undermine their personal well-being but also rob the national economy of their full potential contribution. Through the WiFin Project, HOGWIN seeks to bridge this gap by creating pathways for widows to access financial services, acquire digital and entrepreneurial skills, and participate actively in the economy. 

In his words, “empowering widows is empowering Nigeria,” said the Executive Director of HOGWIN- Phranklin Audu. “The WiFin Project is more than a welfare intervention – it is an economic growth strategy. We cannot achieve sustainable national development while leaving such a significant segment of our population behind. We call on banks, microfinance institutions, fintech innovators, policymakers, and the donor community to partner with us in delivering inclusive, life-changing solutions for widows.” 

The WiFin Project is strategically aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: 

- SDG 1: No Poverty – by providing widows with income-generating opportunities and access to credit. 

- SDG 5: Gender Equality – by dismantling systemic barriers that limit widows’ economic participation. 

- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by creating inclusive financial systems that unlock the productive capacity of widows. 

- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – by targeting support to one of the most marginalized groups in society. 

SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals – by forging partnerships and collaborating with stakeholders to deliver financial inclusion and economic opportunities to widows across Nigeria and beyond 

• Facilitating access to tailored microfinance and savings products for widows. 

• Providing financial literacy, digital skills, and entrepreneurship training. 

• Building support networks and cooperatives for peer learning and shared resources. 

• Advocating for policies that recognize and protect the economic rights of widows. 

• Leveraging technology to expand market access for widows’ businesses. 

HOGWIN invites all stakeholders to be part of this national movement for economic justice and sustainable growth. Together, we can turn financial inclusion for widows into a catalyst for national prosperity, ensuring that no woman is left behind in Nigeria’s development story. 

 

For media enquiries, please contact: 

Hands of God Widows Support Initiative (HOGWIN) 

Email: hogwidows@gmail.com