Bill Proposing Five-Month Widowhood Leave for Bereaved Spouses Advances in House of Representatives

A bill seeking to grant five months of leave for female and male workers who have lost their spouses has passed the second reading at the House of Representatives.

The bill, titled "A Bill for an Act to Make Provision for Widowhood Leave to be Given to a Man or Woman whose Spouse Died during the Subsistence of the Marriage to Enable the Widow and Widower to Mourn the Deceased Spouse and Make Immediate Arrangements for the Challenges Ahead and for Related Matters (HB.401)," was sponsored by Rep. Sa’idu Musa Abdullahi (APC, Niger).

According to the bill, a widow would be eligible for five months of widowhood leave, while a widower would be eligible for one month of widowhood leave with full pay in either instance.

"This bill shall apply to employees of both the public and private sectors of the federation," the bill stated.

During his lead debate at the plenary on Tuesday, March 19, Abdullahi emphasized the devastating effect of death on spouses when they lose their partners, stating that they need time to mourn within a specified period.

Abdullahi pointed out that in most cultures and religions in Nigeria, there is a provision for a mourning period for women only, hence the need to formally recognize and provide a legally recognized period for spouses to mourn the death of their partners.

"This crucial piece of legislation aims to address the pressing issue of supporting individuals who have lost their spouses, helping them navigate the challenging period of widowhood," Abdullahi said while introducing the bill.

He also mentioned that research findings had shown that public sector organizations in Nigeria grant up to 14 days of leave for workers who have lost their spouses for the burials.

Rep. Ademorin Kuye, who supported the bill, shared his personal experience of what his mother went through when their father died while they were young, as she had to resign from her job to observe the mourning period.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, referred the bill to the House Committee on Public Sector Reforms for further legislative actions.