First Lady Launches INSPIRE Nigeria, Pushes Inclusive Reforms for Women in Civil Service

First Lady Launches INSPIRE Nigeria, Pushes Inclusive Reforms for Women in Civil Service

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women (INSPIRE Nigeria), calling for stronger mentorship and inclusive workplace reforms to advance women’s leadership in the civil service.

The initiative was unveiled at the 2026 International Civil Service Conference (ICSC), themed “Reforms, Resilience and Results,” where the First Lady stressed the need to create opportunities for women to rise from junior positions to the highest levels of public service.

INSPIRE Nigeria forms part of the Federal Government’s broader commitments under the National Gender Policy 2021–2026 and the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy 2023–2028 aimed at strengthening institutional support for women across government agencies.

Speaking before more than 5,000 delegates from 16 countries, Senator Tinubu described the initiative as a critical component of the Renewed Hope Agenda focused on inclusion, productivity and national transformation.

“This initiative speaks to the kind of civil service we must continue to build — one that supports its workforce, rewards competence, promotes fairness, encourages innovation, creates opportunities for professional growth and truly reflects equity and excellence,” she said.

The First Lady emphasized the importance of early leadership development and mentorship for women in the civil service.

“I am pleased to learn that this initiative is designed to reach women across different levels of the civil service, from junior officers to executive level, and this is most important because leadership development should not begin only when a woman becomes a permanent secretary,” she stated.

“A young officer who is properly mentored today may become the permanent secretary, head of service, minister, or a national leader tomorrow.”

She added that empowering women within the civil service would strengthen institutions and improve governance outcomes.

“When women are empowered, institutions become stronger, governance improves and citizens benefit from better service delivery. That is why initiatives like INSPIRE are not just important for women alone, they are vital for national progress,” she said.

Senator Tinubu also called on male civil servants to support efforts toward building fair and inclusive workplaces.

“I encourage you to continue your partnership in building workplaces that promote fairness, respect and equal opportunity for all,” she added.

The First Lady commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, for spearheading the initiative and acknowledged the support of UN Women and other development partners.

In her remarks, Walson-Jack described INSPIRE Nigeria as a strategic platform aimed at dismantling structural barriers limiting women’s advancement in public service.

According to her, the programme will focus on institutional capacity building, mentorship, leadership development and strengthening professional confidence among women in government service.

She noted that the initiative seeks to address long-standing challenges such as weak sponsorship networks, limited mentorship opportunities and institutional constraints affecting women’s career progression.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, described INSPIRE as timely and urged stakeholders to ensure conference resolutions translate into measurable reforms.

She said the conference reaffirmed the central role of the civil service in Nigeria’s development agenda while highlighting the gap between women’s participation in the workforce and their representation in leadership positions.

“This is not a coincidence, it is a consequence of a legacy system that has some structural weaknesses. And it is a gap we can no longer afford,” she said.

Suleiman-Ibrahim pledged the ministry’s full support for the implementation of the initiative through policy leadership, technical expertise and institutional partnerships.

Meanwhile, UN Women Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Maxime Houinato, commended Nigeria’s efforts toward gender equality but noted that women’s political representation remained low due to structural and institutional barriers.

“These are situations that are historical, these are situations that are structural, and we commend the effort of the government of Nigeria to look for solutions that will allow women to express their potential,” he said.