Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has approved a symbolic one-day takeover of all Police Management Team offices at the Force Headquarters by female officers on December 4.
The directive, announced on Wednesday by the Force Gender Advisor, AIG Aishatu Baju, is part of activities marking 70 years of women policing in Nigeria.
AIG Baju said the same handover would take place in all state command headquarters across the country.
According to her, the IGP also approved December 4 as “All Women Police Duty Day,” during which female officers will not only occupy management offices but also handle all security operations involving the IGP, including dispatch riding and escort duties.
Baju explained that the initiative is aimed at highlighting the evolution and contributions of women in the Nigeria Police Force since 1955, when the first 20 female recruits were assigned roles such as serving tea, operating telephones and cleaning offices.
She noted that women in the force have since risen to occupy strategic and operational leadership positions, including the command of major police training institutions such as PTS Lagos, Oji River, Kaduna and the Police Detective College, all currently headed by female Assistant Inspectors General.
Baju revealed that women now constitute between 10 and 12 percent of the force’s personnel, which she said represents progress from earlier years but remains below the United Nations benchmark of 35 percent.
The 70th anniversary celebration, themed “70 Years of Courage and Service: Honouring Women in Policing, Inspiring the Future,” will hold on December 4 and 5.
Key events will include an opening ceremony featuring Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as special guest of honour and a keynote address by the Chief of Police of the Bahamas, Shanta Knowles.
According to Aishatu Baju, the commemoration seeks to recognise the contributions of women police officers, strengthen police–community trust, inspire young women to pursue policing careers and deepen partnerships with civil society organisations on gender equity.
She commended the Inspector General for supporting gender inclusion, saying the force is aligning with international standards such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
