The grand celebration of 70 years of Women in Policing in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is set to take place today in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.
This historic milestone will feature the unveiling of the 70th Anniversary Emblem, alongside the launch of a new Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Training Manual and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will serve as Special Guest of Honour. At the same time, Shanta Emily Knowles, Chief of Police of The Bahamas, will deliver the keynote address.
Speaking with Voice of Nigeria, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, congratulated the women of the Nigeria Police Force on seven decades of service, describing the anniversary as a renewed call to strengthen gender-inclusive security and justice.
“I congratulate our female police wing at 70. We are proud of the work they are doing, and we stand ready to support them in discharging their duties. We see AIG Aishatu Baju’s leadership and her drive for an inclusive security and justice system. We stand with her, and we will work with her to strengthen the Gender Desk, and to support full implementation of the VAPP Act and the Child Rights Act.”
The Minister also pledged to champion the bill before the National Assembly seeking a statutory percentage increase for the enlistment of women into the Nigeria Police Force.
“Already, from the Ministry of Interior, we have a 35% quota set aside for female security agents in that space. We are going to reflect that in the Police, and even in the Armed Forces. I stand ready to support our gender lead in the Police to ensure that this becomes a reality,” she said.
The Journey So Far
The Force Gender Advisor to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), AIG Aisha Abubakar Baju, reflected on the journey of women in the NPF, acknowledging progress and gaps.
“From 20 women that started, the number is not really that encouraging, I can say. Still we are agitating to cover the gender gap, but at least we make up about 12% of the population of police in Nigeria now… It’s been a journey of 70 years… We’ve had women DIGs, AIGs, CPs in commands… They are doing wonderfully well.”
AIG Baju commended IGP Kayode Egbetokun for enabling gender-responsive reforms.
“I want to really appreciate the Inspector General of Police for his leadership qualities, for providing the enabling environment, for being gender sensitive… for making the Nigerian police an equal opportunity institution.”
She highlighted ongoing reforms, including the revised Nigeria Police Gender Policy with eight strategic objectives, expansion of gender desks to all 36 states and divisional levels, and the unveiling today of the GBV Standard Operating Procedure and GBV Training Manual.
Improving Response to GBV
On improving police response to gender-based violence, she noted the expansion of gender desks nationwide:
“We have gender desks in all the 36 states and very recently, the Inspector General of Police expanded gender desks to the divisional level… so every division has a gender desk that will be able to respond.”
She added that the new Standard Operating Procedure for GBV response, alongside a dedicated police GBV training manual, will be unveiled today.
AIG Baju also spoke on her new continental role as the pioneering President of the Association of Women in Law Enforcement in Africa, and her flagship Police Mentorship Programme.
“We are now intentionally training women leaders in the police to become mentors… That is what is actually causing the gap in terms of leadership.”
AIG Baju expressed profound gratitude to the IGP, saying:
“In 70 years, this is the very first time an Inspector General of Police has come out to make a statement to say, I’m celebrating the contribution, the resilience, and the courage of women in the Nigerian police force. I want to thank my boss, the ‘He For She’ Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun”
Activities marking the anniversary include statewide commemorations, intergenerational dialogues, and recognition of pioneering policewomen.