President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Cecilia Adebisi Ugowe, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, as she marks her 90th birthday.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President described Mrs Ugowe as a trailblazer whose distinguished career in the Nigeria Police Force helped expand opportunities for women and strengthened professionalism at a time when policing was largely male-dominated.
President Tinubu noted that Mrs Ugowe consistently broke barriers throughout her service.
The President said her career remains a source of inspiration, reflecting dedication, resilience, and commitment to public service.
“As she marks this significant milestone, I commend her lifetime of service and wish her continued good health, peace, and fulfilment,” President Tinubu said.
Mrs. Cecelia Ugowe: Nigeria’s First Female Deputy Inspector General of Police
In 1968, Mrs. Cecelia Ugowe served as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, at a time when very few women held such ranks in Nigeria’s law enforcement. Her rise through the ranks was both remarkable and historic.
Mrs. Ugowe would go on to break more barriers, becoming the first woman to attain the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police in Nigeria. Her career culminated in her appointment as the nation’s first female Deputy Inspector General of Police—the highest rank ever held by a woman in the Nigerian Police at the time. She also served as the first female Commissioner of Police, the first woman to serve as Assistant Inspector General of Police, and the first female Force Secretary. Her legacy paved the way for generations of women in uniform, proving that leadership and excellence know no gender.