The rising cost of living in Nigeria, with inflation reaching 24.48% in early 2025, disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, particularly widows in Gusau, Zamfara State. This study employed a cross-sectional mixed-methods design involving 397 widows aged predominantly 40-59 years, integrating structured questionnaires with open- and closed-ended items alongside key informant interviews. Guided by Marxist Conflict Theory, the study examined how income insufficiency, large household size, educational disadvantage and escalating costs of food, healthcare and transport exacerbate financial instability and health vulnerabilities. Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and logistic regression to identify predictors of compounded hardship, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis to elucidate coping strategies, community support mechanisms and structural constraints. Results indicate that 83% of widows earning below ₦30,000 perceive their income as insufficient and 85% report heightened vulnerability due to rising costs (χ²(1) = 62.13, p < .001). Logistic regression confirmed low income (OR = 3.86), large household size (OR = 2.10), limited education (OR = 1.84) and elevated essential costs (ORs = 1.65-2.86) as significant predictors of multidimensional hardship. Additional findings reveal that widows in polygamous households experience greater financial stress (OR = 2.45) and that those with adult dependents are more likely to delay healthcare (OR = 1.92).

Consequences include delayed healthcare (70%), psychosocial distress manifesting as stress and anxiety (65%), nutritional deficits (60%) and increased vulnerability to chronic health conditions (47%). Coping mechanisms primarily involve multiple informal jobs (77%), reliance on kin networks (72%), borrowing (80%) and engagement in small-scale trading (68%), whereas participation in formal savings or cooperative schemes remains limited (58%). Qualitative narratives highlight recurring debt cycles, skipped medical treatments, limited access to health information and constrained resilience due to inadequate community support. The study concludes that widows in Gusau face compounded socio-economic and health disadvantages shaped by structural inequality, inadequate social protection and household dynamics. Recommended interventions include conditional cash transfers, subsidised healthcare and transport, vocational training, financial literacy programmes, targeted psychosocial support and inclusive social protection measures to mitigate intersecting economic and health challenges and enhance resilience among widows.