As the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) celebrates 70 years of women in policing in Nigeria, the Force Gender Advisor to the inspector-general of police, AIG Aishatu Abubakar Baju, has revealed that the NPF is currently made up of 12 per cent of women.
She stated that currently, the Nigeria Police Force has about six Assistant Inspectors-general of Police and Commissioners of Police handling some states, a situation that is quite different from what it was when the first sets of female police officers joined the Force in 1955.
According to her, 20 women joined the Force 70 years ago and one of them, 95-year-old DCP Stella Okwihiga (rtd) is alive today and will be celebrated in December when the Nigeria Police Force will celebrate 70 years of women in police.
While speaking on some of the changes for women in the Force in the last 70 years, AIG Baju said the female police officers have moved from serving tea to being retired at the rank of chief superintendent of police to now being able to attain any level in the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking on the plans for the celebrations, the Force gender advisor said: “This year marks a historic milestone in the annals of the Nigeria Police Force, the 70th anniversary of women in Policing. In 1955, the first cohort of women joined the Nigeria Police Force, breaking barriers and laying the foundation for generations of courageous, resilient, and dedicated women officers who have since served our nation with distinction.
“From those humble beginnings to the present day, women in the NPF have played an indispensable role in maintaining law and order, promoting community safety, and upholding justice. Their contributions, often made in the face of adversity, deserve not only our recognition but our celebration.
“This anniversary is more than a commemoration; it is a call to honour the pioneering spirit of our women officers, to highlight their impact on community safety, and to showcase the progress made and challenges overcome in the journey toward gender equality in policing.
“We also aim to inspire future generations of young women to see policing not just as a career, but as a calling, one that empowers them to serve, protect, and lead.
“To mark this occasion, the Nigeria Police Force will host a series of celebratory events, including: a grand opening event on the role of women in policing and mentorship with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, as the special guest of honour and the keynote speaker – the chief of police of the Bahamas, Ms. Shanta Emily Knowles.”
She further added that there will be “community outreach programmes focused on young women, including career talks in schools, health education, and distribution of sanitary kits to schoolgirls to inspire the next generation of women that would join the Force, at all state commands.”
