The leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has officially scrapped its controversial law mandating the dismissal of unmarried female officers who become pregnant while in service.
The discriminatory provision, which had been enshrined in Section 127 of the Police Act, was removed as part of broader institutional reforms.
Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Aishatu Baju confirmed the development. She stated that the removal of the section aligns with the commitment of the NPF to gender inclusivity and equality in the Force.
“That section, along with any other part of the Police Act that discriminates against female officers, has been removed under the Police Act 2020,” Baju said.
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She further emphasized that the Inspector General of Police has introduced the Nigeria Police Gender Policy to ensure that all officers have equal opportunities in the Force, regardless of gender.
According to her, the NPF remains committed to eliminating gender-based discrimination and fostering a more inclusive institution for all personnel.
The now-abolished law had sparked outrage among citizens after a female police officer, Corporal Omolola Olajide, was dismissed from the Force in Ekiti State for getting pregnant while unmarried.
The incident prompted widespread condemnation and legal action from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which challenged the constitutionality of such a law in contemporary policing.
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While a Federal High Court in Abuja initially upheld Olajide’s dismissal, ruling that she had been aware of the provision before joining the Force, the NBA pursued an appeal.
In a significant victory for gender equality, the Court of Appeal in May 2024 nullified Sections 126 and 127 of the Nigeria Police Act, effectively bringing an end to the policy.
This latest decision to remove the law from the Police Act marks a progressive step towards gender equality in Nigeria’s law enforcement sector, ensuring that female officers are no longer subjected to unfair treatment based on their marital or pregnancy status.