500 Widows Graduate from Entrepreneurship Training Program

In a ceremony filled with joy and celebration, KUTH Foundation proudly graduated 500 widows from our flagship Entrepreneurship Training Program. This milestone represents not just the completion of a training program, but the beginning of economic independence for hundreds of families.

The six-month intensive program covered essential business skills including financial literacy, product development, marketing, customer service, and digital commerce. Participants also received mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and access to a network of support.

"When I lost my husband three years ago, I thought my life was over," shared Grace Okonkwo, one of the graduating widows. "This program gave me more than skills—it gave me hope and a community of sisters who understand my journey."

Each graduate received a startup kit valued at ₦100,000, including materials specific to their chosen trade, whether tailoring, catering, crafts, or retail. Additionally, top performers were awarded micro-grants of up to ₦250,000 to scale their businesses.

Engr. Gerald A. Azonobo, KUTH Foundation's Founder & Executive Director, addressed the graduates: "You are not just starting businesses today. You are breaking cycles of poverty, modeling resilience for your children, and proving that widowhood is not the end of dreams—it can be the beginning of new ones."

The program has maintained an impressive 85% business survival rate among previous cohorts, with many graduates going on to employ other women in their communities. This ripple effect multiplies the impact of every widow empowered.

Partners and donors who made this possible include the Ford Foundation, USAID, and numerous individual contributors. The total investment in this cohort exceeded ₦75,000,000, translating to approximately ₦150,000 per widow—a modest investment with exponential returns for families and communities.

Applications for the next cohort will open in June 2026. Interested widows can apply through their local community leaders or directly through the KUTH Foundation website.