The House of Representatives on Monday began a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act No. 2 of 2020, with the goal of making a compulsory 15 per cent women’s representation in police recruitment across the Nigeria Police Force.
The session, which focused on gender equality, public safety, and national security, highlighted the need to reform police recruitment, training and career progression to reflect Nigeria’s diversity and improve accountability. The development also aligns with gender equality policy, law enforcement reforms, public safety standards and human rights compliance that are relevant in public sector reporting.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who declared the hearing open, described the amendment as an essential step in building a more inclusive policing system. He said the police had operated for decades with an extremely low number of female officers, especially in command roles, which he noted affected professionalism and limited support for victims of sensitive crimes.
According to him, “At its core, this Bill speaks to justice, fairness, and the recognition that effective policing must draw strength from diversity. For too long, the Nigeria Police Force has operated with a disproportionately low representation of women, particularly in its leadership structure.”
He added that the absence of women in strategic police positions had denied the system the empathy and unique perspective female officers bring to security operations and community relations. He explained that increasing women’s participation was not only about promoting gender equality but also about improving law enforcement performance. 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.”
The proposed amendment mandates the Police to set up a gender-responsive compliance programme that will cover recruitment, training, posting, discipline and career progression. It also creates a monitoring unit to maintain records and ensure full adherence to gender-based reforms. Abbas explained that global research shows that police institutions with stronger female representation record fewer cases of excessive force, handle gender-based violence more effectively and enjoy greater public trust.
He stressed that the plan aligns with the Constitution and Nigeria’s international obligations under CEDAW and the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 5 on women’s empowerment. He added that the Bill provides for sustained monitoring to ensure implementation, saying, “A way must be found to enforce implementation and sustained monitoring.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Abubakar Makki Yalleman, said the amendment aims to boost women’s recruitment into the Force by at least 15 per cent and create a gender-friendly atmosphere where women can grow. He noted that cultural and societal barriers had discouraged many women from joining the police.
Yalleman said female officers bring important skills to policing, particularly in handling domestic violence and sexual assault cases. He said, “This amendment prioritises recruitment, promotion, and a conducive working environment for women. It will equip them with the skills needed to excel and inspire young girls to pursue careers in policing.”
