Nigeria’s most senior female police officer, AIG Abubakar-Baju speaks on becoming IGP

The most senior female police officer in Nigeria, Assistant Inspector General, AIG, Aishatu Abubakar-Baju, has said that Nigeria will have a female Inspector General of Police soon.

Abubakar-Baju said this during an interview on Channels Television, where she also spoke on her remarkable journey, developments in the Force and policies for all-inclusive policing.

She also confirmed that the Nigeria Police will no longer dismiss unmarried female police officers who get pregnant in the line of duty.

Abubakar-Baju, who joined the Force in 1995, is on her 30th year in the system. Nigeria has not had a female IGP.

Asked if she could be considered for the position, she said, “The position of the Inspector General of Police is at the discretion of Mr. President. It’s whosoever the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria finds worthy.

“Only one IG can be in office at any time; there cannot be two IGs. The most important thing is that women are given opportunities to grow; women are given opportunities to develop themselves in the Nigeria Police Force.

“I believe that it’s just a matter of time [and a woman will be appointed as IGP]. Women are doing very well so far. There can only be one Inspector General of Police and I don’t think it has anything to do with gender.

“It’s just at the discretion of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; whosoever he finds worthy of that office, of course, he will give them.”

The current IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has made certain pronouncements, especially in terms of gender-based violence against women and girls.

Nigeria’s most senior female police officer, AIG Abubakar-Baju speaks on becoming IGP