Abuja: Didi Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), has announced that the newly launched INSPIRE programme is specifically designed to remove structural barriers hindering the advancement of women in the Federal Civil Service. Walson-Jack made this announcement during the second day of the International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, which focused on the theme ‘Reforms, Resilience and Results.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the INSPIRE initiative, officially unveiled by the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, at the conference, stands for Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women in the Federal Civil Service. This initiative aims to foster gender-inclusive leadership and institutional excellence within the civil service.
Walson-Jack emphasized that the programme will enhance institutional capacity, bolster individual confidence, and establish a supportive environment for women throughout the Federal Civil Service. The INSPIRE initiative offers a structured framework for leadership development, peer mentoring, career development, and provides support in areas such as disability, institutional and volunteer work, along with monetary backing and measurable success metrics.
The programme is set to connect women from all levels of the civil service, from junior to senior positions, through a sustainable network that extends beyond just conferences and workshops. It will also create opportunities for women to participate actively in reform processes and contribute significantly to public sector transformation.
Walson-Jack highlighted the programme as a strategic investment in innovation, inclusive governance, and national development, stating that reform efforts must include women, benefit from their ideas, and acknowledge their capabilities and contributions. She stressed that the full potential of the civil service cannot be reached if the energy, ideas, and initiatives of women are not fully utilized.
The HCSF expressed gratitude to the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for her support of women-focused initiatives and inclusive national development. Walson-Jack also acknowledged the contributions of international development partners and stakeholders in building a competitive, equitable, and effective civil service. She affirmed that INSPIRE must develop into a sustainable institutional movement promoting mentorship, opportunity, solidarity, and gender-inclusive reforms across the Federal Civil Service.