Zone 7 Police Celebrates 70 Years of Women in Policing, Hosts Retired Female Officers in Mentorship Session
By Raymond Enoch,
The Nigeria Police Force Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, on Sunday, November 30, 2025, held an emotionally charged and inspiring interactive session between retired and serving female police officers as part of activities marking the 70th Anniversary of Women in Policing in Nigeria.
The event, held at the Zone 7 Headquarters, was convened under the leadership of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Zone, AIG Victor Olaiya, psc(+), and aligns with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, to deepen gender inclusion, mentorship and professional development for women in the Force.
AIG Olaiya was represented at the occasion by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, ACP Labong Fidelia, who warmly received retired senior female officers and led the conversation with serving women police personnel drawn from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger State Police Commands under the Zone.
In a rare, intergenerational exchange, retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Margaret Odiase and retired Superintendent of Police (SP) Naomi Isiaku sat down with the younger officers to share personal stories from their years in uniform, highlighting the challenges they overcame and the victories they recorded in a male-dominated profession.
They offered practical guidance on career progression, discipline, emotional intelligence, ethical conduct and maintaining a healthy balance between police duties and family obligations. Their testimonies, laced with resilience, courage and duty to country, visibly moved many of the younger officers, who described the session as “reassuring” and “reinvigorating”.
According to ACP Fidelia, the engagement was deliberately designed not as a ceremonial event, but as a safe space for honest conversation, guidance and inspiration.
She noted that the Inspector-General of Police has consistently emphasized the need to recognise the legacy of pioneering women officers while deliberately investing in the next generation of female leaders in the Force.
“Today’s interaction is a clear demonstration of the commitment of the Force leadership to honouring the trailblazers who opened doors for women in policing, while building a motivated, confident and professionally empowered corps of serving women officers,” she said.
ACP Fidelia commended CSP Odiase and SP Isiaku for honouring the invitation and for their continued dedication to the Nigeria Police Force, even in retirement. She urged the serving officers to internalise the lessons shared, remain focused, uphold the highest standards of discipline, and continue to project the image of the Force positively in their various formations.
The session forms part of a series of activities lined up by Zone 7 to commemorate seven decades of women’s contribution to policing in Nigeria — from crime fighting and community policing to peace support operations, administration and leadership roles.
Zone 7 further reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive, safe and professionally driven work environment for women across the FCT and Niger State Police Commands, stressing that gender inclusion is not just a celebration theme but a strategic pillar for effective policing.
For more information and updates on activities of the Zone, members of the public are encouraged to follow the Zone’s verified social media platforms via its official linktree channel.
