In a bid to enthrone gender equality, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has abolished regulations that permitted the dismissal of unmarried female officers who became pregnant while in service. Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Aishatu Abubakar-Baju, the most senior female police officer in Nigeria, announced this development on Wednesday.
Abubakar-Baju confirmed that all laws and regulations discriminatory to women in the NPF have been expunged. This change follows the Police Act of 2020 and ongoing police reforms. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) launched the Nigeria Police Gender Policy last year to eradicate gender discrimination and promote inclusivity within the force.
The AIG’s statement comes after the highly publicized case of Omolola Olajide, an unmarried police corporal in Ekiti State who was dismissed in 2021 for being pregnant. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) challenged the legality of Section 127 of the police regulations, which led to the appellate court voiding regulations 126 and 127 of the Nigeria Police Act in May 2024.
When asked directly if unmarried female police officers would no longer be dismissed for getting pregnant, Abubakar-Baju responded with a simple “Yes.” This move marks a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equal opportunity institution within the Nigeria Police Force.
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