Nigeria’s First Lady Unveils INSPIRE Initiative for Equity and Innovation in Public Service
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday officially launched the _Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women_ (INSPIRE) — a Federal Civil Service programme designed to expand women’s workplace participation and ensure they shape decisions and influence outcomes at all levels of the Service.
Unveiled at the International Civil Service Conference 2026 at Eagle Square, Abuja, convened under the theme _“Reforms, Resilience and Results,”_ the initiative aims to build a Civil Service that rewards competence, promotes fairness, encourages innovation, and reflects equity and excellence.
Speaking at the launch, Senator Tinubu said: “Inclusion is most meaningful when it comes with the opportunity to contribute, shape decisions, and influence outcomes.”
She stressed that leadership development “must begin early,” noting that INSPIRE will reach women “from junior officers to executive level” because “a young officer who is properly mentored today may become the Permanent Secretary, Head of Service, Minister or a national leader tomorrow.”
The First Lady tied the initiative to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that “when women are empowered, institutions become stronger, governance improves and citizens benefit from better service delivery.”
She added that initiatives like INSPIRE are “vital for national progress.”
Senator Tinubu commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, for her vision, and applauded UN Women and other partners supporting inclusion and better governance.
She urged all stakeholders to support INSPIRE so it becomes “a living network of mentorship, learning, collaboration and leadership,” noting that its success will be measured “by the impact it creates in the years ahead.”
