As Nigeria continues its push toward inclusive growth, the Chinwe-Bode Akinwande (CBA) Foundation is set to ignite a nationwide dialogue on breaking cycles of poverty and social exclusion among widows.
The foundation announced plans for its 2025 Turning Point Conference, themed “Empowering Widows in Nigeria: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Vulnerability,” scheduled for October 9, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
More than just a conference, the event seeks to reposition widowhood empowerment as a core element of Nigeria’s social and economic reform agenda. It will convene leaders from civil society, government, academia, and the private sector to develop actionable strategies that give widows renewed access to dignity, financial independence, and equal opportunity.
Championing Inclusion Through Empowerment
Since its inception in 2015, the CBA Foundation has emerged as a leading force in advocating for widows’ rights and wellbeing. The non-profit organisation has directly supported more than 10,000 widows through empowerment and capacity-building programmes, while over 17,000 have benefitted from health interventions, business grants, food and clothing distributions, and counseling support.
Beyond emergency relief, the foundation also invests in long-term growth by funding education and skill development for over 100 underprivileged children, ensuring that vulnerable families are not trapped in generational poverty.
A Platform for Change
Founder Chinwe Bode-Akinwande described the upcoming conference as a collective call to action.
“Widows are among the most vulnerable groups in our society, often exploited and neglected,” she said. “This conference is about amplifying their voices, strengthening their capacity, and building partnerships that create lasting solutions.”
The event will feature a keynote address by Amina Oyagbola, Founder of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), alongside a plenary session moderated by Hansatu Adegbite, Executive Director of Women in Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ).
Panel discussions and interactive sessions will focus on skill acquisition, microfinance, impact investment, and advocacy frameworks that promote financial resilience and gender equity. Attendees will also hear success stories from beneficiaries whose lives have been transformed through the foundation’s initiatives.
A Turning Point for Policy and Partnership
By bringing together voices from across sectors, the CBA Foundation aims to influence national and community-level action that strengthens legal protections, widens access to economic opportunities, and redefines how Nigeria supports widows and their families.
As the nation prepares for the 2025 conference, the message is clear — empowering widows is not charity, it is nation-building. Through compassion, collaboration, and innovation, the CBA Foundation is lighting a path toward a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria.
