The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting gender mainstreaming in the Nigeria Police Force, describing inclusive policing as a matter of public interest and pledging closer collaboration to amplify the achievements of policewomen.
The commitment was made on Wednesday at the Nigeria Policewomen Conference (NPWC) 2026 in Abuja, themed “Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Policing for Inclusive Security and Sustainable Reform.”
Representing the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, the Council’s Auditor, Comrade Rosemary Ukoko-Tega, said the media had historically been excluded from discussions on gender mainstreaming within the police, stressing that the situation must change.
She noted that gender-responsive policing and a free press are complementary pillars of accountability and public trust, adding that the over 2,000 journalists under the NUJ FCT Council have the capacity to draw public attention to policies and reforms that require institutional action.
Ukoko-Tega urged the Nigeria Police Force to establish dedicated communication channels with the NUJ FCT Council to facilitate timely dissemination of information on gender initiatives. She also encouraged policewomen to proactively share their achievements and activities for wider media coverage.
She said the Council’s position aligns with its long-standing advocacy for transparency, institutional accountability and media inclusion in public sector reforms.
The NUJ intervention reinforced calls for greater visibility of women serving in the police, noting that many achievements by female officers, including increased leadership representation across commands, remain underreported due to limited structured engagement with the media.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Director of Force Medical Services, AIG Nkechi Eze, said the revival of the Nigeria Policewomen Conference reflects the Force’s commitment to ensuring women play active leadership roles in modern policing.
The IGP acknowledged the outstanding contributions of women officers in investigations, forensic services, tactical operations, peacekeeping and international assignments. However, he observed that mentorship gaps, limited leadership opportunities and inadequate welfare support continue to hinder their career progression.
He called on participants to move beyond discussions by producing practical recommendations on leadership development, mentorship and inclusive policies, while urging senior female officers to intentionally mentor younger colleagues to sustain leadership within the Force.
The Inspector-General also commended development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Government of Germany, GS Foundation and UN Women, for their continued support for police reforms and initiatives aimed at promoting women’s leadership.
Reaffirming its support, the NUJ FCT Council pledged to work closely with the Nigeria Police Force to institutionalise regular media access to updates on gender reforms, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration between the media and police leadership would enhance public trust and increase recognition of women’s contributions to national security.
The conference was organised by the Nigeria Police Force in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, GS Foundation and UN Women. Held at the United Nations House in Abuja, it brought together senior police officers, government officials, development partners and civil society organisations to advance women’s leadership and institutional reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.
