Nigeria Faces 37% Productivity Loss Due to Women's Economic Exclusion

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has warned that Nigeria's economic growth ambitions could remain under threat if women don't get equal access to leadership, governance, and economic opportunities. Speaking at the launch of the INSPIRE Initiative on Thursday, the minister called for bold institutional reforms to close gender gaps in the nation's public service. She emphasized that these reforms are necessary to ensure that women aren't excluded from decision-making positions.

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the continued marginalisation of women in strategic leadership positions as a costly setback to national productivity and development. Estimates indicate that women's economic exclusion costs Nigeria up to 37% loss in productivity, she said. This loss is significant, and it's essential to address it to achieve sustainable economic growth.

The INSPIRE initiative, Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership Innovation Reform and Equity for Women, is aimed at expanding mentorship, leadership development, and advancement opportunities for women across the Federal Civil Service under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. Ibrahim noted that the initiative complements ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to build a more inclusive, efficient, and future-driven civil service capable of driving sustainable national transformation. She believes that this initiative will help create a more balanced and representative public service.

Although women constitute a significant share of the civil service workforce, their presence becomes increasingly limited at senior leadership and policy-making levels. The higher the level of decision-making, the thinner their representation becomes, Ibrahim said. According to her, the imbalance reflects deep-rooted structural barriers that require intentional reforms, stronger institutional support, and deliberate investment in women leadership pipelines. These barriers won't be easy to overcome, but it's crucial to address them to achieve gender equality.

The INSPIRE project will complement ongoing reforms in ensuring that we create pathways for women to assume leadership roles to help address the existing gaps at the top level of the Civil Service, she added. Ibrahim also advocated for the full implementation of the six-month maternity leave policy, workplace childcare systems, gender-responsive budgeting, and stricter enforcement of anti-harassment measures across institutions. She emphasized that these policies are essential for supporting women in the workforce and promoting gender equality.

The minister commended the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for sustaining advocacy for women-focused reforms, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for spearheading the INSPIRE initiative. The event took place during the International Civil Service Conference at Eagle Square, Abuja. Persecondnews reports that the INSPIRE initiative is part of the Federal Government's efforts to promote gender equality and empower women in the civil service. This initiative is a significant step towards achieving these goals, and it's essential to support it.

As the Nigerian government continues to push for economic growth and development, the exclusion of women from leadership positions remains a significant challenge. The INSPIRE initiative is a step in the right direction, but it will require sustained efforts and commitment from all stakeholders to achieve meaningful change. The minister's warning about the economic costs of women's exclusion should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and business leaders to take concrete actions to promote gender equality and empowerment. They can't afford to ignore this issue, as it has significant implications for the country's economic development.

In the context of Nigeria's economic development, the empowerment of women is crucial. The country has made significant progress in recent years, but there's still much work to be done. The INSPIRE initiative is an opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women. It's essential to ensure that the initiative is implemented effectively and that its impact is felt across the country. The government won't be able to achieve this goal alone, so it needs to work with other stakeholders to make it happen.

The launch of the INSPIRE initiative is a significant development in Nigeria's efforts to promote gender equality and empower women. The minister's call for bold institutional reforms and the implementation of policies such as the six-month maternity leave policy are crucial steps towards achieving this goal. As the country continues to navigate the challenges of economic development, it's essential to prioritize the empowerment of women and girls. The INSPIRE initiative is a step in the right direction, and its success will depend on the commitment and dedication of all stakeholders involved. If they don't work together, they won't be able to achieve the desired outcomes, and the initiative might not have the intended impact.