Nigeria Police Force Repeals Law Dismissing Unmarried Pregnant Officers

The Nigeria Police Force has repealed laws that previously mandated the dismissal of unmarried female officers who became pregnant while on active duty.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Aishatu Baju disclosed this on Wednesday during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a program on Channels Television.

Baju emphasized that discriminatory laws against women in the force have been eliminated to promote inclusivity. She referenced the case of Omolola Olajide, an unmarried police corporal in Ekiti State who was dismissed in 2021 for becoming pregnant.

“That Section 127 and any section of the Police Act and regulation that has gender discrimination have been expunged, looking at the Police Act of 2020 and the police reform that is currently going on," she stated.

She also highlighted the commitment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to gender equality, noting that the Nigeria Police Gender Policy was launched last year to ensure the eradication of all forms of gender discrimination.

“The IGP is intentional about inclusivity and making sure that the Nigeria Police is an equal opportunity institution,” she added.

When asked directly if unmarried female officers who become pregnant would still face dismissal, the AIG responded, "Yes," confirming that the policy had changed.

This development follows a legal challenge by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which in 2021 took the matter to a Federal High Court in Abuja, contesting the validity of Section 127 of the police regulations. However, in February 2022, the court dismissed the case, ruling that the officers were aware of the regulation before joining the force.