Nigeria on Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of women’s participation in the Nigeria Police Force with a national ceremony that highlighted their contributions to security and renewed commitments to gender inclusion within the force.
Speaking at the event themed “70 Years of Courage: The Women Who Forged Our Force,” First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu hailed the seven decades of female officers’ service, describing the milestone as a testament to the nation’s commitment to justice, equity, and the protection of human dignity.
“For seven decades, Nigerian women have stood on the frontline of peace, law enforcement and community safety,” she said, adding that no future of national security is complete without women.The First Lady applauded the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for institutional reforms that promote gender inclusion and align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on national security. She also encouraged young girls to consider careers in policing, assuring them that “there is a place for you.”
Inspector-General Egbetokun, in his remarks, traced the evolution of women in the police from a handful of officers restricted to clerical duties in 1955 to thousands now serving in operational, tactical, investigative and leadership roles across the country.
He noted that female officers have become key actors in peacekeeping, cybercrime investigations, counter-terrorism, forensic science, and community policing. He praised trailblazers such as retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Chioma Ajunwa, Nigeria’s Olympic gold medalist, and “countless unnamed heroines” whose contributions remain essential to national security.
Egbetokun announced new commitments, including expanded training opportunities, merit-based promotions, increased representation of women in command positions, improved welfare policies and a zero-tolerance stance on discrimination within the force.
“You are not an appendix in our story. You are central to our identity and instrumental to our future,” he told the women officers.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed commended Nigeria’s policewomen for their resilience, especially in international peacekeeping missions. Minister of Women Affairs, Imam Suleman Ibrahim, also praised the IGP for advancing gender inclusivity in line with global standards.
The event was attended by top government officials, security chiefs, representatives of military officers’ wives associations, retired senior policewomen, and other dignitaries.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the launch of the Nigeria Police Force Training Manual on Response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The celebration, organisers noted, served not only as a historical reflection but also as a renewed national commitment to building a more professional, compassionate and gender-inclusive security architecture.
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