Nigeria Police Finally End Pregnancy Dismissal Law for Female Officers

By Achimi Muktar

In a groundbreaking policy shift, the Nigeria Police Force has officially scrapped its long-standing rule that dismissed unmarried female officers who became pregnant while in service.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Aishatu Abubakar-Baju confirmed the reform during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on March 12, 2025, stating that all gender-discriminatory policies have been removed from police regulations.

Victory for Gender Equality in the Force

The move aligns with the 2020 Police Act, which mandates fair treatment of male and female officers. However, it wasn’t until a May 2024 Court of Appeal ruling that the Nigeria Police was forced to finally repeal the policy.

The controversial law gained national attention in 2021 after Corporal Omolola Olajide was dismissed for getting pregnant outside marriage. Her case sparked public outrage and legal battles that ultimately led to the court's intervention.

"No More Unjust Dismissals"—AIG Abubakar-Baju

Speaking on the reform, AIG Abubakar-Baju assured that no unmarried female officer would be penalized for pregnancy moving forward.

“This is a significant step toward gender equality in law enforcement,” she stated, emphasizing that the force is committed to inclusivity and fair treatment of all officers, regardless of gender.

What This Means for Female Officers

With this change, women in the Nigeria Police Force will no longer face dismissal over pregnancy, ensuring that their careers are not cut short due to outdated policies.

This landmark decision signals a shift toward modern policing standards, where professionalism, rather than personal choices, defines an officer’s career.

Is this the beginning of broader gender reforms in Nigeria’s security sector? Time will tell.