Abuja — The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to increasing the representation of women in tactical, operational, and command positions.
Egbetokun made the pledge in Abuja on Thursday during an event marking 70 years of women policing in Nigeria.
He said the Force remains proud of its female officers and will continue to discourage all forms of discrimination, harassment, or career stagnation against them.
“We follow your strength, we celebrate your intellect, we rely on your courage, and we are inspired by your service,” he said.
“To every woman in the Nigeria Police Force, you are not an appendix in our story, you are central to our identity.”
The IGP told younger female officers that they were not just inheriting a legacy but shaping the next chapter in Nigeria’s policing culture—one rooted in professionalism, compassion, competence and courage.
Reflecting on the 70-year history, Egbetokun said women joined the police in 1955, beginning a quiet but groundbreaking movement in Nigeria’s security landscape. The early female intakes, though small, were restricted to duties such as juvenile welfare, clerical tasks, and cases involving women and children.
“Although the doors were open, the pathways were narrow,” he said, noting that despite the limitations, those pioneering women set a new standard and laid the foundation for transformation within the Force.
He noted that today, women in the Nigeria Police have earned their place across operational, tactical, investigative, administrative, and strategic levels, proving their resilience and commitment to national service.
Egbetokun described the journey of women in the police as a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and unwavering dedication of Nigerian women.