The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, has disclosed that women account for 43.84 per cent of the Federal Civil Service workforce, with their representation declining to 40.11 per cent at Grade Level 17, highlighting the need to strengthen women’s access to top-level leadership positions.
Abel said ongoing public service reforms were aimed at promoting inclusive leadership, improving women’s career progression and advancing gender equality across government institutions.
He made the disclosure at a high-level strategy meeting organised by UN Women with heads of cooperation and other stakeholders to accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
According to preliminary workforce analysis presented at the meeting, women constitute 42.31 per cent of senior officers on Grade Levels 15 to 17, while their representation at Grade Level 17 stands at 40.11 per cent.
The figures formed part of discussions on strengthening institutional policies and opportunities to ensure that women can progress into senior management and leadership positions within the Federal Civil Service.
Abel highlighted a five-year Memorandum of Understanding between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and UN Women, signed at the 2026 International Civil Service Conference, as a framework for advancing gender-responsive public sector reforms.
The partnership is expected to support measures that promote women’s professional development and improve gender inclusion in public administration.
He also identified the Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women (INSPIRE), launched by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as an initiative designed to provide mentoring, leadership development and professional advancement opportunities for women.
Abel acknowledged women’s contributions to public administration, stressing the importance of creating institutional conditions that support their participation in leadership, innovation and reform.
The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, commended the Federal Civil Service for its efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Eyong described the five-year agreement with the OHCSF as a foundation for advancing gender-responsive governance and reaffirmed UN Women’s readiness to provide technical assistance towards achieving measurable and sustainable outcomes for women and girls across Nigeria.
The workforce figures provide a benchmark for assessing progress under the partnership, particularly in improving women’s representation in senior positions and expanding their opportunities for career advancement within the public service.
