The Inspector General of Police (IGP) launched the Nigeria Police Gender Policy last year to ensure the total elimination of gender discrimination within the Force.
“The Nigeria Police has evolved, and the IGP is deliberate about promoting inclusivity and ensuring that the Force remains an equal opportunity institution,” she added.
When asked directly whether the police still dismiss unmarried female officers who become pregnant, the AIG replied, “Yes” — confirming the practice has ended.
Recall that the dismissal of Corporal Olajide in 2021 sparked public outrage, prompting the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to challenge the legality of Section 127 of the Police Regulations at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court, however, dismissed the case, ruling that officers were aware of the rule prior to joining the Force.
Undeterred, the NBA pursued the matter at the Court of Appeal in Lagos. In May 2024, the appellate court struck down Regulations 126 and 127 of the Nigeria Police Act, which had permitted the dismissal of unmarried policewomen who became pregnant while in service.
