Abuja: A gender-based organization, The Memunat Single Mother and Child Initiative, has made a public appeal to the Federal Government to officially designate a National Day for Single Parenting. This initiative aims to facilitate the raising of children who will contribute positively to the nation.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the initiative, Mrs. Memunat Idu’Lah, emphasized this request during the 2025 National Conference on Raising Future Leaders held in Abuja. The conference, themed ‘Invisible but not Inconsequential: Shedding Light on the Socio-Cultural, Economic and Legal Realities of Single Parenthood in Nigeria,’ served as a platform to address the silent challenges faced by single parents in the country.

Mrs. Idu’Lah highlighted that the idea of a National Single Parent Day is not unprecedented, citing that in 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared March 21st as National Single Parent Day in the United States, a tradition that continues to this day. She noted, “It’s the day that people come out in the society to help single parents,” and emphasized the importance of creating such a day in Nigeria to bring awareness and support to single parents, regardless of gender.

The conference underscored the need for Nigeria to collectively address the issue of single parenting. Mrs. Idu’Lah called upon NGOs and government agencies to engage in dialogue and explore solutions to assist single parents. She stressed the importance of raising children in environments free of abuse and urged single parents to seek support and not endure toxic marital situations.

Drawing from her experience as a retired Director of International Cultural Relations, Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Idu’Lah pointed out that countries like Turkey have established agencies dedicated to single parents, questioning why Nigeria lacks similar support systems. She advocated for adoption as a viable option for single mothers unable to care for their children.

Alheri Gotus, a single mother who shared her personal story at the conference, echoed the call for change. Having left an abusive marriage after two children, she urged women not to endure life-threatening marriages for the sake of tradition, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of a mother’s love in a child’s life.

Representing the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Hajiya Aisha Sulaiman highlighted the multifaceted challenges single parents, particularly women, face, including social stigma and economic hardships. She advocated for the conference as a crucial platform for developing strategies to enhance the quality of life for single mothers and their children.

The Ministry of Women Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women through various programs and collaborations. The outcomes of the conference are expected to contribute significantly to national policies and interventions supporting single parents on their path to stability and socio-economic independence.