Nigeria Police Scrap Law Dismissing Unmarried Pregnant Officers – AIG

The Nigeria Police Force has officially abolished regulations that mandated the dismissal of unmarried female officers who became pregnant while in active service. Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Aishatu Abubakar-Baju confirmed this development during a televised interview on Wednesday.
Abubakar-Baju, the highest-ranking female police officer in Nigeria, emphasized that discriminatory clauses in police laws have been removed to ensure gender equality within the force.
“Sections 127 and other provisions of the Police Act that previously upheld gender discrimination have been expunged in line with the 2020 Police Act and ongoing police reforms,” she stated.
Her remarks come in response to questions about Omolola Olajide, a police corporal dismissed in 2021 for becoming pregnant while unmarried. The incident sparked national outrage, with legal bodies challenging the legitimacy of such regulations.
“The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has taken decisive steps to eliminate gender-based disparities. Last year, he introduced the Nigeria Police Gender Policy to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities for all officers,” Abubakar-Baju added.
When directly asked if the police would still dismiss unmarried officers who become pregnant, she affirmed, “No, that practice has been abolished.”
Olajide’s dismissal triggered legal action from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which took the matter to the Federal High Court in Abuja. However, the court dismissed the case, citing a lack of merit and stating that officers were aware of the regulations upon joining the force.
Undeterred, the NBA escalated the case to the Court of Appeal in Lagos. In a landmark ruling in May 2024, the appellate court struck down Sections 126 and 127 of the Nigeria Police Act, officially voiding the dismissal policy for unmarried pregnant officers.
This ruling marks a significant step towards gender parity in the Nigeria Police Force, reinforcing the commitment to fairness and equality in law enforcement policies.