In commemoration of the 2025 International Widows’ Day on Monday, June 23, the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) empowered 136 widows across Nigeria with startup capital and vocational tools worth over ₦23 million.

The presentation ceremony took place in Lagos, where the foundation highlighted the socioeconomic struggles faced by widows, particularly in developing nations.

As part of its ongoing efforts, the foundation also distributed empowerment tools and welfare packages to 53 beneficiaries in Ogun State during its 16th annual zakat distribution for the Egba/Yewa zone.

Speaking at the Lagos event, the Executive Director of ZSF, Prince Sulaiman Olagunju, expressed gratitude to Allah and thanked stakeholders for their support at the widow-focused event.

“At Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, we recognize the hardships widows endure, and we are devoted to offering meaningful, long-term support that fosters dignity and self-sufficiency,” he said.

Prince Olagunju disclosed that the selected widows received items such as sewing machines, grinding machines, deep freezers, hairdressing kits, and business funds totaling ₦23,405,000. He noted that the intervention was made possible through this year’s zakat donations from generous individuals and organizations.

He urged more Muslims to channel their zakat and sadaqat through the foundation to sustain its impactful and transparent humanitarian efforts.

Addressing the beneficiaries, he said: “This is more than a donation — it’s an opportunity. Make good use of these tools and funds. Work hard and remember, you are not alone — we stand with you in solidarity and prayer.”

Also speaking, Alhaja Mulikat Abdul Rahman, the Assistant Female Coordinator of ZSF in Lagos, emphasized the foundation’s dedication to widow empowerment. She explained that the foundation decided to align the empowerment exercise with International Widows’ Day due to the large number of widows who had applied for assistance.

In Ogun State, the foundation empowered another 53 individuals as part of its zakat distribution, focusing on the Egba/Yewa region.

During the event, Prince Olagunju revealed that ZSF received ₦76 million in zakat donations this year, an increase from ₦51 million last year, attributing the rise to greater Muslim participation.

He stressed the importance of monitoring the use of empowerment tools and urged recipients not to sell the items, but to build value and eventually support others.

In his keynote address, the Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Anifowose, described the event as a manifestation of divine mercy and community strength. Citing Qur’an 9:103, he highlighted zakat’s spiritual and societal role in purifying wealth and uplifting the poor.

He noted that 53 out of 262 applicants were selected this year, and the assistance provided covered empowerment, welfare, education, medical, and debt relief needs. Two widows received special recognition in line with the global observance of Widows’ Day.

Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Jamiu Rowaiye, urged Muslims to fulfill their religious duties by paying zakat and encouraged beneficiaries to use the support wisely with the hope of becoming future zakat contributors themselves.

In his lecture titled ‘Impactful and Productive Zakat: Beneficiaries on Call’, guest speaker Ustadh Mahmud Zakariyah reminded both donors and recipients to adhere to Allah’s guidance. He cautioned against misuse of the items and encouraged beneficiaries to value the divine favor they had received.

Delivering a goodwill message, the Secretary of the Ogun State Muslim Council, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, praised ZSF’s transparency and called on the organization to extend its outreach to conflict-affected states such as Borno, Niger, Plateau, and Benue.

Also in attendance was Hon. Lukman Atobatele, a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Abeokuta South 1, who advised the foundation to conduct thorough needs assessments before disbursing empowerment items.