By Citizenship Newspaper
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Makki Abubakar Yalleman, has said that women play a crucial role in the effectiveness of policing and must no longer be sidelined within the Nigeria Police Force.
He stated this at a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act, aimed at mandating at least 15 percent female representation in police recruitment and reforming gender-related policies across the Force.
The Bill seeks to compel the Police to adopt a gender-responsive compliance programme covering recruitment, training, posting, discipline, and marital considerations, while also establishing a dedicated unit to monitor compliance.
Yalleman said increasing female representation is not 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.
“This Bill seeks to increase the recruitment of women into the Police by at least 15 percent and provide a gender-friendly environment for them to thrive,” he said, noting that the measure aligns with the Legislative Agenda of the 10th Assembly under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
At the hearing, the Ministry of Police Affairs expressed full support for the amendment. Represented by Okorie Kalu from its Legal Unit, the Ministry described the initiative as “commendable and overdue,” adding that it has already begun drafting regulations to eliminate discriminatory enlistment criteria, including restrictions linked to pregnancy and marital status.
Kalu said 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.
He noted that the amendment would serve as a legal backbone for sustainable reform, but emphasized that proper funding and officer training must accompany the policy shift.
The public hearing drew participation from women’s rights advocates, security experts, civil society groups, and senior police officers, many of whom described the Bill as a necessary step to modernize the country’s policing system.
The Committee is expected to consider stakeholder submissions before presenting its final recommendations to the House.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, said that raising the number of women in the Nigeria Police Force is not just a gender issue but a matter of justice, fairness, and improved policing outcomes.
Speaker Abbas, who was represented by Hon Nnamdi Ezechi, said the Police Force has operated for too long with a disproportionately low number of women, especially in leadership positions, a situation that has limited opportunities for qualified women and weakened the institution.
“At its core, this Bill speaks to justice, fairness, and the recognition that effective policing must draw strength from diversity,” he said. “By increasing the participation of women in the Force, we are not merely advancing the cause of gender equality; we are enhancing professionalism, deepening accountability, and improving the overall quality of policing in Nigeria.”
He noted that global research shows police institutions with stronger female representation record fewer incidents of excessive force, handle gender-based violence cases more effectively, and earn higher levels of public trust.
Abbas also linked the amendment to Nigeria’s Constitution and international obligations, including CEDAW and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
However, he emphasized that legislation alone is not enough, stressing the need for mechanisms to ensure implementation.
“This Bill provides for the establishment of a dedicated unit within the police to maintain records and assess compliance with gender-responsive policies,” he said. “This will ensure that our good intentions are translated into measurable action and tangible results.”
The Speaker urged stakeholders—including the Executive, civil society, police authorities, and advocacy groups—to see the reform as a shared responsibility.
“This hearing is not to apportion blame; it is to enable partnership and progress through collective dialogue,” he said.
Abbas commended the sponsor of the Bill, the House Committee on Police Affairs, and all advocates pushing for gender inclusion in national institutions.
“With this amendment, we take a bold step toward building a Police Force that enforces the law and advances the values of justice, equality, and respect for human dignity,” he stated.
The Ministry of Police Affairs threw its full support behind a proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act seeking to guarantee at least 15 percent women representation in police recruitment and enforce gender-responsive reforms across the Force.
Speaking at a public hearing of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Okorie Kalu of the Ministry’s Legal Unit said the issue is so important that the Ministry’s submission was personally signed by the Permanent Secretary
Kalu said the Bill—which mandates gender-sensitive policies in recruitment, training, marital status, posting, and discipline—aligns with ongoing reforms already initiated by the Ministry.
“The amendment of Section 9 (1)(F) of the Police Act to address historical gender gaps and discriminatory provisions is an applaudable step in revolutionizing the Nigeria Police Force,” he said. “The Ministry has no objection to the amendment.”
He disclosed that the Ministry has already begun drafting new regulations to eliminate discriminatory enlistment criteria such as restrictions based on marital status and pregnancy, and to remove gender-based duty assignments and dress code limitations.
Other reform measures initiated by the Ministry include: Integration of the NPF Gender Policy into routine police procedures; Introduction of maternity leave and religious accommodation provisions; Equitable posting policies; Establishment of grievance and complaint mechanisms with oversight; and Reorganization of the IGP’s office to include a Women and Children’s Protection Centre, as well as human rights and internal affairs units
Kalu emphasized that the Bill would provide the necessary legal backing for these changes to take effect seamlessly.
He also called for dedicated budgetary allocations for gender programmes, continuous training of police officers on gender issues, and improved monitoring through the Ministry’s Planning, Research and Statistics Department.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment, he said: “Anything that will make women more visible and more responsive, the Ministry will support it — not only in police activities, but everywhere. My mother is a woman, my wife is a woman, my sisters are women, and my daughters are women. So why not? It will make them happy.”
He thanked the Committee and urged continued collaboration to build a more inclusive Police Force.
Ends
