Women To Fill 15% Of New Police Recruits Under Proposed Law

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudeen says the proposed amendment to the 2020 Police Act would address longstanding gender imbalance in the Nigeria Police Force and help modernize policing to better reflect the society it serves.

Speaking at a public hearing in Abuja on a bill seeking to Amend the Nigeria Police Act 2024, organized by the House Committee on Police Affairs, Dr Abbas explained that the bill seeks to mandate that at least 15% of new police recruits must be women.

Represented by a member from Delta State, Nnamdi Ezechi, Dr Abbas said Nigeria’s policing system has been weakened by a lack of diversity, particularly the low number of women in leadership and operational roles.

The Chairman, House Committee on Police Affairs, Mr Malik Yalleman emphasized the need to address societal and cultural barriers that have historically limited women’s roles in policing.

Mr Yalleman also said increasing female representation is not only symbolic but necessary to strengthen policing outcomes, particularly in handling cases such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes where women and children are disproportionately affected.

Supporting the bill, a representative of the Ministry of Police Affairs,
Okorie Kalu described the initiative as commendable and overdue, adding that
the Ministry is working on policies to ensure equitable training, duty assignment, dressing guidelines, maternity leave, fair postings, and the establishment of a Women and Children Protection Centre under the Inspector General of Police.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji