The federal government has announced plans to reform gender policies in the foreign service as part of efforts to promote greater inclusivity, improve career progression for women and strengthen ongoing institutional reforms in Nigeria’s diplomatic service.
The move was announced by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, during a meeting with members of the Women Ambassadors of Nigeria Network (WAN-NET) in Abuja, where he also pledged to establish a crèche for nursing mothers to provide a more family-friendly working environment for female officers and staff.
According to a statement issued Tuesday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the minister acknowledged the challenges confronting women in the diplomatic service and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to implementing gender-responsive reforms that would improve their participation, welfare and career advancement.
The minister identified career progression, work-life balance and policy constraints as key issues requiring attention, assuring the delegation that gender policies within the Foreign Service would be reformed while initiatives that enhance the participation and advancement of women in the diplomatic service would receive government support.
He said the planned establishment of a crèche for nursing mothers was one of the practical measures being introduced to create a more supportive and inclusive workplace for female officers and staff.
The minister also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s foreign policy in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the country’s diplomatic engagements must translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
According to him, Nigeria’s foreign policy should prioritise economic growth, investment attraction, innovation, diaspora engagement and national development through a people-centred approach that places citizens’ welfare at the heart of diplomatic engagements.
Amb. Enikanolaiye further underscored the need to strengthen institutional capacity within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by addressing funding challenges, enhancing professionalism and improving policy coordination mechanisms.
He also called for increased public diplomacy and advocacy to raise public awareness of the role of foreign policy in driving national development.
The minister emphasised the importance of mentorship and institutional reforms, noting that the ministry would continue to strengthen structures that promote discipline, capacity development, merit-based progression and gender equity across the Foreign Service.
He commended the establishment of the Women Ambassadors of Nigeria Network, describing it as an important platform for mentorship, advocacy and professional excellence within the Foreign Service.
Members of the delegation expressed strong support for the minister’s reform agenda, particularly his commitment to professionalism, institutional revitalisation and gender inclusivity.
They also pledged their continued cooperation and readiness to contribute their expertise towards advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic objectives and strengthening the operations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting ended with both the Federal Government and WAN-NET reaffirming their commitment to closer collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities and enhancing the country’s global standing through strategic engagement, effective diplomacy and inclusive partnerships.