The Nigeria Police Force has officially scrapped regulations mandating the dismissal of unmarried female officers who become pregnant while in service.
According to The PUNCH, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Aishatu Baju confirmed this development on Wednesday during an appearance on The Morning Brief show on Channels Television.
Baju, the highest-ranking female officer in the force, emphasised that all gender-discriminatory provisions in the Police Act had been removed as part of ongoing police reforms.
“That Section 127 and any section of the Police Act and regulations that contain gender discrimination have been expunged, in line with the Police Act of 2020 and the ongoing reforms,” she stated.
She further noted that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had launched the Nigeria Police Gender Policy to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities within the force.
“I can tell you that the Nigeria Police has come of age, and the IG is intentional about inclusivity, ensuring the force remains an equal opportunity institution,” Baju added.
When asked specifically whether the police still dismiss unmarried female officers who become pregnant, she responded, “No.”
The policy change follows the controversial dismissal of Corporal Omolola Olajide in 2021 after she became pregnant while serving in Ekiti State. Her case sparked nationwide debate, with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) challenging the constitutionality of the regulation in court.
Although a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the suit, the NBA pursued an appeal. In May 2024, the Court of Appeal in Lagos struck down sections 126 and 127 of the Nigeria Police Act, ruling that they were discriminatory and unconstitutional.
With the outdated provisions now removed, the Nigeria Police Force moves toward greater gender equality in its operations.
