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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International – Nigeria have urged the National Assembly to increase the women’s recruitment quota in the Nigeria Police Act (Amendment) Bill from the proposed 15% to at least 30%.
Speaking during the public hearing by the House Committee on Police Affairs held on Monday, 17 November 2025, CISLAC emphasised that this move aligns with established benchmarks from the African Union and ECOWAS on gender inclusion within security sector governance. It also reflects the goals of Nigeria’s National Policy on Women, adopted in 2000, which recommends a 30% reservation for women in appointments.
The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, who was represented by Senior Programme Officer Gimba Suleiman Hassan, articulated the core rationale behind the demand.
He said, “The 30% threshold is not simply a number but a globally accepted minimum necessary for meaningful female representation. This correction is long overdue given the structural exclusion of women in policing over the past decades.”
CISLAC drew attention to the stark underrepresentation of women in the Nigeria Police Force, noting that women now account for less than 11% of personnel. “This figure is significantly lower than the inclusive benchmarks set by regional and international standards,” the organisation stressed in its presentation.
The recommendation met widespread approval among stakeholders present at the hearing. Several members of the Committee expressed a willingness to consider a compromise starting quota of 20%, but CISLAC encouraged lawmakers to adopt more ambitious reforms. “We welcome the Committee’s openness and urge legislators to be both bold and progressive, embracing stronger gender reforms that resonate with Nigeria’s commitments to equality,” Rafsanjani added.
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The hearing also featured contributions from the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs. Head of the Ministry’s Legal Unit, Okorie Kalu, revealed ongoing efforts to modernise policing regulations to eliminate gender discrimination. “We are drafting new Police Regulations that will remove outdated marital and pregnancy restrictions, stop gender-based duty assignments, and abolish gender-specific dress codes,” Kalu said. He acknowledged that these reforms align directly with CISLAC’s campaign.
Moreover, CISLAC outlined several key recommendations to transform policing into a modern, gender-responsive institution. The group stressed the urgent need to phase out analogue record-keeping across all police levels, advocating for a unified digital records system. “A digital, perpetual record system is vital, particularly for crimes related to gender-based violence and human rights violations,” the organisation stated.
CISLAC also called for compulsory documentation and transparent publication of the outcomes of investigations and prosecutions to foster accountability. One of their major proposals is the establishment of a Gender and Inclusion Compliance Directorate, which would have statutory authority to oversee recruitment, training, postings, promotions, and disciplinary actions within the Police Force. Additionally, the organisation urged the enforcement of gender-responsive budgeting across the service and the institution of annual gender audits with public reporting.
Reflecting on the broader significance of these reforms, the Executive Director commented, “Modern policing in Nigeria’s democracy cannot continue under outdated analogue or discriminatory frameworks. A digitized, gender-responsive policing system not only improves professionalism and public trust but also enhances Nigeria’s capacity to prevent and prosecute gender-based violence, human rights abuses, and corruption.”
CISLAC reaffirmed its dedication to working alongside the National Assembly to help fashion a Police Force that is inclusive, transparent, accountable, and respects human rights. “We are committed to supporting reforms that build a Police Force equipped to meet Nigeria’s security challenges and align with global best practices,” Rafsanjani concluded.
