Between the 4th and 5th of December 2025, the Nigeria Police celebrated Nigeria Police women at 70 (1955 - 2025) with theme: '70 years of courage & service: Honouring women in policing, inspiring the future'. The events were supported by UNDP, GS-Foundation, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany - Abuja and Zenith Bank.
AIG Aishatu Abubakar Baju (Gender advisor to the IGP) welcomed us: Empowered women empower institutions and empowered institutions transform nations. Once, the aspirations of women in the Force encountered structural ceilings. Today, those ceilings no longer exist. The Nigeria Police Force has evolved into a modern security institution where ability, not gender, defines alignment and advancement. This ia our shared victory...This anniversary is not just a marking of years, it's an anthem of progress, a testament to institutional matamorphosis, and proof that vision coupled with tenacity re-shapes barriers. From modest beginnings in 1955, when women served as tea girls, communicators, caregivers, traffic guides and school protection officers, to today, where policewomen stand shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts in core intelligence, tactical, investigative, operational and command leadership positions...Women now wear ranks of CPs, AIGs and DIGs. What we celebrate today is not just advancement in rank, but advancement in relevance...Today, the IGP will unveil three generational assets led by the Gender Unit: *Women Police 70-year Lapel Pin *Police GBV Training Manual *Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) on GBV. These documents symbolise policy, protection and professionalism, further strengthening the Force's response to crimes against women and vulnerable persons...(Source: Programme brochure for Nigeria Police Women @ 70)
The event on the 5th of December 2025 had some goodwill messages:
Mrs. Amina Mohammed (UN Deputy Secretary-General) gave her message on line: May the next 70 years be defined by more inclusion and a Police service that keeps improving.
Dame Stella Okuyiga (96 year old member of first set of female recruits into the Police in 1955) gave her message on line. I thank the current AIG for including us in the programme. You shall continue to soar...
Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs represented by Wole Ahmed: I bring you good tidings from my Chairman. I wish you another 70 years of progress.
CP Shanta Emily Knowles (Bahamas Chief of Police) - Keynote Speaker: I made a decision at the age of 15 to join the Police in the Bahamas, when women in policing was not fashionable. Policing is at its best when empathy meets courage. I was the first female to lead the Criminal Investigation Department. When you walk into a room, even minds made of steel would melt because of your carriage. Leadership entails courage. No dream is too distant for any woman. Greatness begins quietly with small steps. Reaching the top was not a straight line for me. I stand today as proof that progress and indeed greatness do not happen overnight. The glass ceiling was shattered by me in the Bahamas. Your journey may be different from mine, but the possibilities are real. Policing is not defined by gender, but by skills, courage and commitment, community engagement, etc. I encourage all women in the Nigeria Police to learn from my story and be rest assured that the sky is just the beginning...
IGP Kayode Egbetokun: I appointed the very first Gender Advisor. I am the 22nd indigenous IGP in Nigeria. The goal is to have women constitute up to 50% of the Nigeria Police. Today, we pay tribute to the women who stepped up. Though the door was open, the pathway up was narrow for women. The first set of women had no blueprint. Today, we stand taller because they stood firm. Today, we have women UN Peace-keepers, Forensic Analysts, Intelligence Officers, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Analysts, ICT Experts, etc. They are mothers, wives and eceptional Police Officers. Excellence wears many faces and women are undeniably one. An example is Chioma Ajunwa, who in 1996, brought home the Sprint Gold Medal from the Olympics. The services of women in the Nigeria Police raise the bar. Women bring disciline to every assignment. Women have moved to mainstream leadership in the Nigeria Police. Women are present, innovative and professional. Under my leadership, we shall continue to advance. The Nigeria Police is proud of its women. We are inspired by your service. Women are indeed the architects of the policing we envision. Women are not a footnote, you're essential to the NPF...Gender Equality is not aspirational, but a lived reality. I thank the President for his commitment to empowering women in Nigeria...
Senator Oluremi Tinubu (First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria): I particularly enjoyed the Keynote Speaker's speech and I would like to have a copy. I'm proud of how far women have come in the Nigeria Police. I'm confident that the next 70 years would record more wins for my gender...
The celebration was indeed glorious for women in the NPF. I raise my glass to another 70 years of distinction for Nigeria Police women. Bravo!
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