Oluremi Tinubu Launches Initiative for Women's Leadership

On Thursday, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu officially launched the Inspire Initiative at the International Civil Service Conference 2026 held at Eagle Square, Abuja. The initiative is designed to strengthen women's leadership and promote equity within the federal civil service.

Tinubu emphasized the importance of empowering women as critical drivers of national development and noted that despite women comprising a significant percentage of the civil service workforce, their representation in senior leadership roles remains low. She highlighted the economic implications of women's exclusion, estimating a 37% loss in productivity for Nigeria.

The initiative aims to provide leadership development, mentorship, and advocacy for policy reforms to support women in the workplace. Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, supported the initiative, calling for concrete reforms to ensure women's full participation in the civil service.

Didi Esther Walson Jack, head of the federal civil service, described the initiative as a strategic response to barriers limiting women's advancement in public service.