The Nigeria Police Force has abolished regulations that mandated the dismissal of unmarried female officers who became pregnant while in service.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aishatu Baju confirmed this development on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, stating that all discriminatory sections of the Police Act, including Section 127, have been removed under the Police Act 2020.
This move follows a landmark court decision in May 2024, where the Court of Appeal nullified Sections 126 and 127 of the Nigeria Police Act, effectively ending the policy.
The Nigerian Bar Association had challenged the regulation in court after a police corporal, Omolola Olajide, was dismissed from the Force in Ekiti State in 2021 for becoming pregnant while unmarried.
The Inspector General of Police has also introduced the Nigeria Police Gender Policy to ensure full inclusivity and equal opportunities for all officers. Baju reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to eliminating gender-based discrimination and fostering a more inclusive institution.
When asked directly whether unmarried female officers would still be dismissed if they became pregnant, Baju responded firmly, “No.”
The abolition of the regulation is seen as a significant step forward for gender equality and women’s rights within the Nigeria Police Force.
