Entrepreneur and life coach, Adebisi Kuforiji, has restated her commitment to empowering single mothers through her initiative, Project61, as she decried stigmatisation faced by women raising children alone.
Speaking in Lagos, Kuforiji said the project was born out of her experience as a single mother for 28 years and her desire to support other women in similar situations.
According to her, the initiative, which began on her 59th birthday, brings together single mothers corresponding with her age each year.
“In 2023, when I turned 59, we had 59. Last year, when I turned 60, we had 60. This year, it is 61 women because I am turning 61,” she said.
Kuforiji lamented the way society treats single mothers, saying they are often unfairly labelled and disrespected.
“People see them as ‘urgent 2K mamas,’ not worthy of being married again, and they don’t give them enough voice. But we forget that you cannot be a mother without a father. It is a situation, not the end of life. Single mothers are still leaders, queens and mothers deserving of respect,” she said.
She added that her survey once showed that almost every family has at least one single mother, “so why stigmatise those outside when you don’t stigmatise your own?”
The initiative, she said, has no government or NGO backing but is funded by friends who contribute cash, from N2,000 to N10,000. The money is shared among beneficiaries, with each woman receiving an amount equal to her age.
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“Last year, the women got N60,000 each. This year, they are receiving N61,000. Some will even get N100,000 because sponsors came in after seeing their business ideas,” she said.
She added that beyond financial aid, the initiative provides mentorship.
“Ten mentors are assigned to six women each, checking on their businesses, supporting them.
‘‘We monitor them. For example, one woman used her funds to expand her cake business, another to refill gas cylinders, and one to upgrade her make-up skills. She even came here today to do make-up for free as her way of giving back,” Kuforiji said.
On the impact, she said some have remarried, while others have stabilised their businesses and families.
“We have widows, divorcees, and never-married mothers.’’
What matters is that they are raising their children alone. Society often stigmatizes them as irresponsible or desperate, but they are hardworking and deserve respect,” she stressed.
She urged government at all levels to engage with initiatives like Project61 in order to create structured empowerment for single mothers.
“What I want is for the government to invite us to the table. Every woman here has a gift, a business, or a skill. They just need support to scale up,” she said.
Kuforiji also advised women who are exiting the programme to “pay it forward” by supporting other single mothers in their own little way.
“Even if it is ₦200 airtime or small hangouts, bless someone else. That is what the alumni is about, carrying forward the spirit of giving,” she added.
A Retired Chief Magistrate, Adebola Fashanu lauded the entrepreneur for her selflessness and service to the people.
For some beneficiaries, the project has been life-changing. Edidiong Udosen, who joined during Project59, described it as “a blessing.”
“At first I was skeptical to join, but when I did, I found a community of women who understood my struggles. It’s not just about the financial support; it’s about knowing you have a family you can call on even at midnight. We share experiences, we encourage one another, and we see challenges as opportunities to find solutions,” she said.
Udosen praised Kuforiji’s selflessness, recalling how the convener sometimes gave out money even when she barely had enough for herself.
“She’s teaching us to give back, no matter how little. Nobody chose this path of being a single mother, but through this platform we are reminded that we are human, we are strong, and we can still thrive. She is changing one family at a time,” she said.
