The Chinwe-Bode Akinwande (CBA) Foundation is set to host a groundbreaking conference titled “Empowering Widows in Nigeria: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Vulnerability,” scheduled for October 9, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The event aims to shed light on the critical challenges faced by marginalized widows across Nigeria and to foster actionable solutions.
As a registered nonprofit organization, the CBA Foundation remains committed to uplifting underprivileged widows and children by providing hope, protection, and empowerment. Widows from vulnerable communities often face social exclusion, neglect, and systemic injustices. This conference offers a vital platform for dialogue, highlighting these issues and exploring strategies such as skills development, microfinance access, impact investing, and advocacy to promote their socio-economic upliftment.
Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, founder of the CBA Foundation, emphasized the importance of the event: “Widows are disproportionately exploited because of their vulnerability. Our goal is to empower them through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, amplifying their voices and enhancing their societal standing. This conference will enable stakeholders to share experiences, propose solutions, and commit to actionable steps.”
The event will feature a keynote speech by Amina Oyagbola, founder of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), and a plenary session moderated by Hansatu Adegbite, Executive Director of Women in Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ). Attendees will also participate in interactive panels, hear success stories from impactful programs, and be called to action to support widows across Nigeria.
Bringing together representatives from civil society, government, academia, and the private sector, the conference aims to foster collaboration, share best practices, and develop policy recommendations to create a more inclusive environment for widows.
Since its inception in 2015, the CBA Foundation has impacted over ten thousand widows through empowerment and capacity-building initiatives. Its programs have provided health interventions, food aid, business start-up support, clothing, and personalized counseling to over seventeen thousand widows. Additionally, the foundation has assisted more than 100 vulnerable children with tuition and skills training.
