Gender-Inclusive Policing Vital to Justice, Accountability and National Security – Speaker Abbas

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has stressed that increasing women’s representation in the Nigeria Police Force is essential to achieving fairness, professionalism and stronger policing outcomes nationwide.

Abbas, who was represented by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi at a public hearing on a Bill to amend the Nigeria Police Act, said the proposal goes beyond gender balancing. According to him, it aims to reinforce public trust, strengthen accountability and modernise policing standards.

“At its core, this Bill speaks to justice, fairness and the recognition that effective policing must draw strength from diversity,” he said. “By increasing women’s participation, we enhance professionalism, deepen accountability and improve overall policing performance.”

He expressed concern over the persistently low number of women in the Force, particularly in senior positions, saying the imbalance has limited institutional efficiency and deprived Nigeria of the full value women bring to security work.

Citing global studies, Abbas noted that police organisations with more women experience fewer cases of excessive force, respond better to gender-based violence and enjoy higher public confidence.

He further linked the reform to Nigeria’s obligations under the Constitution, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 5 on gender equality.

While endorsing the Bill, the Speaker warned that legislation alone would not solve the problem. He emphasised the need for monitoring structures to enforce compliance with gender-responsive standards.

“This Bill provides for a dedicated unit within the Police to track compliance with gender policies,” he said. “It ensures our intentions become measurable action and real results.”

Abbas urged collaboration among the Executive, civil society, the Police leadership and advocacy groups, describing the reform as a national responsibility rather than a partisan effort.

He commended the House Committee on Police Affairs for championing gender inclusion, saying the amendment would help build a Police Force that enforces the law while upholding justice, equality and human dignity.

The Bill, sponsored by the Committee on Police Affairs, proposes a mandatory quota of at least 15% female recruitment and introduces a gender-compliance framework covering recruitment, training, postings, discipline and marital considerations.

Committee Chairman Hon. Makki Abubakar Yalleman said women’s involvement is crucial for improving policing, particularly in handling domestic violence, sexual offences and crimes involving women and children.

The Ministry of Police Affairs also backed the amendment. Represented by Okorie Kalu, the Ministry said it has begun drafting regulations to eliminate discriminatory entry requirements, mainstream gender policies into police training and operations, and create a Women and Children Protection Centre under the Inspector General’s office.

Kalu described the Bill as the legal backbone for ongoing reforms and called for dedicated funding and continuous capacity-building to support implementation.

“Anything that makes women more visible and more responsive, the Ministry will support,” he added.

The Committee will review all submissions and forward its final recommendations to the House.