In a significant move towards gender equality, the Nigeria Police Force has repealed a longstanding regulation that mandated the dismissal of unmarried female officers who became pregnant while in service.
The repeal was confirmed by Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aishatu Baju, the highest-ranking female officer in the Force, during an interview on The Morning Brief on Channels Television.
Baju explained that the Police Act has been revised to remove all discriminatory provisions, including Section 127, which had been used to justify dismissing unmarried female officers for pregnancy. She emphasized that the revision is part of the broader Police Act 2020 reforms, which also introduced the Nigeria Police Gender Policy to ensure full inclusivity and equal opportunities for all officers.
When asked if unmarried female officers would still face dismissal for becoming pregnant, Baju firmly stated, “No.”
This change comes after a public outcry over the dismissal of Corporal Omolola Olajide in 2021, who was fired after becoming pregnant. The incident drew national attention and led the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to challenge the constitutionality of the policy in court. While the Federal High Court upheld the dismissal, ruling that Olajide was aware of the regulation, the NBA’s continued efforts eventually resulted in the Court of Appeal nullifying Sections 126 and 127 of the Police Act in May 2024.
With these reforms, the Nigeria Police Force is making a strong commitment to eradicating gender-based discrimination and fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for all officers.
