The Welfare of Widowers and Their Dependents in Rural Kwara State, North Central Nigeria

Male widowhood and its consequences for family welfare remain relatively understudied in Nigerian social work literature despite representing a significant social welfare concern in rural communities. This study examines the welfare conditions of widowers and their dependents in rural Kwara State, focusing on communities in Ilorin East and Kaiama local government areas. A descriptive survey design is employed, with 80 widowers and their children surveyed through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages are applied in data analysis. The study finds that widowers in the study communities face significant childcare challenges, especially when young children are involved and the widower is engaged in full-time farming or artisanal work. Children in widower-headed households exhibit higher rates of school absenteeism and nutritional deficiency compared to two-parent households. Extended family support is available but inconsistent, particularly when the widower belongs to marginal economic strata. Formal social work services for widowers are absent, reflecting a lack of recognition of male widowhood as a welfare concern within existing service frameworks. Recommendations include expanding social work outreach to include male-headed households experiencing loss and caregiving challenges, establishing widower-inclusive community support groups, and integrating male caregiving support into social protection programmes. Keywords: widowers, family welfare, male caregiving, Kwara State, social protection