The Nigeria Police Force has commemorated 70 years of women in policing with a 5km solidarity walk in Abuja, held as part of the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Representing the Inspector General of Police, DIG Sadiq Idris Abubakar of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) delivered a message of confidence in Nigerian policewomen.
He said: “On behalf of the Inspector General of Police, I want to congratulate the female police officers for reaching that high.”
Commending their capacity and professionalism, he stated “Among you, we have very intelligent ones, dedicated, sound and very respectable. Don’t shy away from competing with men. You are capable. We have seen many of you doing very well.”
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening women’s leadership within Nigeria’s security architecture.
She noted that, “as the institutional mechanism for the advancement of women in Nigeria, the Ministry of Women Affairs will continue to provide full support to the Nigerian Women Police.”
Encouraging officers to dream boldly and aspire to the highest ranks, she stressed that ambition must never be constrained by discipline, background, or educational pathway.
Represented by Princess Jummai Idonijie, the Minister assured women officers of unwavering institutional backing, emphasising that once a woman has earned her place through merit and service, she deserves every opportunity to rise to the top.
“As the institutional mechanism for the advancement of women in Nigeria at 30, we will continue to support the Nigerian Women Police. Every woman in uniform must dream big, dream of becoming the Inspector General of Police. No matter your discipline or qualification, if you merit it and have reached that level in your career, we will stand firmly with you to fulfil your dreams and aspirations,” she said.
Also, Commissioner of Police and Director of the NPF National Cybercrime Centre, CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry, praised the walk as timely and strategic.
He said: “This will help officers and men of the Nigerian police, more especially the women… to sensitise people about gender online-based violence.”
He noted that policewomen at 70 have “helped victims… helped Nigerians… and helped the Nigerian Police Force to sustain the fight against cybercrime.”
Similarly, Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir, saluted the milestone, calling it “the Elders’ Bench.”
She said: “Nigerian women police have done excellently well… and we are so proud of them”, advocating for more recruitment to boost leadership visibility.
“We need more women so that as they grow in the profession they will be visible in the leadership position,” she said.
Visiting, Commissioner of Police, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Shanta Knowles, the first female to hold the post in her country, praised the unity displayed.
“This was a beautiful walk saying no to gender-based violence,” she said, adding: “Women here in Nigeria and around the world are ready to take leadership positions.”
Force Gender Advisor to the Nigeria Inspector of Police and President of the Association of Women in Law Enforcement in Africa, AIG Aishatu Abubakar Baju, said the nationwide celebration reflects decades of resilience.
“We’re celebrating 70 years of women in service… from 1955 to 2025,” part of this celebration of 70 years is that we are also going to touch lives. We are going to inspire the next generation of women that would like to aspire to become police officers. We have intended to empower 1,500 girls with hygiene packs,” she said.
Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Honourable Kafilat Ogbara delivered a strong push for greater leadership representation, insisting: “In 70 years, your success should be commensurate with the years you have spent in service. We need more of our women in leadership positions in policing.”
The event, which featured the distribution of hygiene packs to 1,500 students, reaffirmed national commitment to gender equality, safety and women’s leadership in security.
Confidence Okwuchi