By Stella Odueme
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged women in the civil service to embrace innovation, digital skills, and continuous professional development to remain competitive and relevant in an increasingly digital global environment.
She made the call on Thursday during the 2026 International Civil Service Conference held in Abuja, where she also advocated stronger inclusion, mentorship, and leadership opportunities for women in the public service.
The Remi Tinubu, during the conference, themed “Reforms, Resilience and Resolve,” also launched the Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reforms and Equity for Women (INSPIRE), an initiative designed to promote fairness, professional growth, and greater participation of women within the Federal Civil Service.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Tinubu commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, for championing reforms and initiatives aimed at strengthening inclusive leadership in the Nigerian public service.
The First Lady said women continue to play critical roles across government institutions as administrators, professionals, technical officers, managers, and leaders, often serving with discipline, dedication, and integrity.
She, however, stressed the need for more deliberate efforts to deepen women’s inclusion in governance and decision-making processes.
“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. This is most important because leadership development should not begin only when a woman becomes a Permanent Secretary,” she said.
“It must begin early. A young officer who is properly mentored today may become thep Permanent Secretary, Head of Service, Minister, or a national leader tomorrow.”
Mrs Tinubu linked women’s empowerment to stronger institutions, improved governance, and better service delivery, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prioritises inclusion, productivity, economic growth, and national transformation.
According to her, empowering women within the public service would help institutions become more innovative, adaptive, and globally competitive.
She encouraged female civil servants to pursue excellence, invest in self-development, embrace technology and digital innovation, support one another, and uphold integrity in the discharge of their duties.
The First Lady also called on male officers in the civil service to continue supporting policies and initiatives that promote fairness, equal opportunity, and respect in the workplace.
She added that the true success of the INSPIRE initiative would be measured not by its launch, but by its long-term impact on leadership development, institutional reforms, and the transformation of public service delivery in Nigeria.
Mrs Tinubu formally launched the INSPIRE initiative and commended development partners, including UN Women, for supporting inclusion and improved governance within public institutions.
