The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the National Assembly to increase the proposed female recruitment quota in the Nigeria Police Act amendment bill from 15 percent to 30 percent.
Speaking at a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Police Affairs yesterday in Abuja, CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani—represented by Senior Programme Officer, Gimba Suleiman Hassan—said the current representation of women in the Police Force, which stands below 11 percent, falls short of regional and international standards.
He said meeting the 30 percent threshold would address long-standing gender inequality in policing and bring Nigeria closer to African Union and ECOWAS benchmarks.
The submission received commendation from several stakeholders, with some lawmakers indicating willingness to consider a gradual increase starting from 20 percent.
Also at the hearing, the Head of Legal Unit at the Ministry of Police Affairs, Mr. Okorie Kalu, said the Ministry is developing new Police Regulations aimed at removing discriminatory provisions such as marital restrictions, pregnancy limitations, gender-based duty assignments, and gender-specific dress codes.
CISLAC further urged the establishment of a unified digital crime record system, a Gender and Inclusion Compliance Directorate, gender-responsive budgeting, and annual gender audits for improved accountability.
The organisation said modern policing requires technology-driven systems and inclusive structures to effectively address gender-based violence, rights abuses, and corruption.
It pledged continued support to the National Assembly to build a more accountable Police Force.