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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has called for the inclusion of the media in the Nigeria Police Force’s gender reform agenda, arguing that meaningful institutional reforms cannot succeed without sustained engagement with journalists.
The demand was made at the Nigeria Policewomen Conference (NPWC) 2026 in Abuja, yesterday where the Council also pledged to amplify the stories and achievements of policewomen to enhance public awareness and support for ongoing reforms.
Speaking at the conference themed, “Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Policing for Inclusive Security and Sustainable Reform,” the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, represented by the Council’s Auditor, Rosemary Ochigbo, said the media had historically been excluded from discussions and planning around gender mainstreaming within the Nigeria Police Force.
She described the exclusion as a critical gap, noting that the press plays a vital role in promoting transparency, accountability and public confidence in government institutions.
According to her, gender-responsive policing and a free press are mutually reinforcing, stressing that the NUJ FCT Council, with over 2,000 journalists, possesses the capacity to drive public understanding of reforms while holding institutions accountable.
She said structured media engagement would not only improve public perception of the police but also ensure that the achievements and challenges of policewomen receive the visibility they deserve.
Rather than maintaining a distant relationship with the media, Ochigbo urged the Nigeria Police Force to appoint designated liaison officers to facilitate regular communication with journalists and keep the public informed on progress in gender reforms.
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She also encouraged policewomen to proactively share their success stories, initiatives and professional accomplishments for wider media coverage. “These positions align with the NUJ FCT Council’s longstanding advocacy for transparency, institutional accountability and media inclusion in matters of public reform,” she said.
The Council noted that despite increasing representation of women in leadership positions across police commands, many of their achievements remain largely unknown because of weak institutional engagement with the media.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, the Director of Force Medical Services, AIG Nkechi Eze, said the revival of the Nigeria Policewomen Conference underscored the Force’s commitment to strengthening women’s participation in leadership and decision-making.
The IGP acknowledged the growing contributions of women officers in investigations, forensics, tactical operations, peacekeeping missions and international assignments, but observed that mentorship gaps, limited leadership opportunities and inadequate welfare support continue to impede their career progression.
He urged participants to move beyond discussions by producing practical recommendations that would strengthen leadership development, mentorship and inclusive policies, while encouraging senior female officers to intentionally mentor younger colleagues.
The Inspector-General also commended development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Government of Germany, GS Foundation and UN Women, for supporting police reforms and initiatives aimed at promoting women’s leadership within the Force.
The conference, organised by the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the 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, brought together senior police officers, government officials, development partners and civil society organisations to chart a path towards institutionalising women’s leadership in policing.
