A 96-year-old retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dame Stella Okuyiga, has unveiled a book documenting the history, experiences, and contributions of pioneer female officers in the Nigeria Police Force.
The book, titled Origin of Police Women in Nigeria: The Story of the Pioneer Women Officers and My Journey in the Nigeria Police Force (1955–1996), was unveiled in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday, with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, serving as the chief launcher.
Speaking at the event, Disu emphasised the importance of parental responsibility in shaping children’s character, noting that adult delinquency contributed to many of the security challenges facing the country.
He said policing alone could not guarantee national security, stressing the need for homes that instil discipline and good values in children, communities that support the law, and a police force that works closely with both.
The IGP described the book launch as more than a literary event, saying it celebrated the courage, sacrifices and achievements of women whose pioneering efforts helped shape the Nigeria Police Force.
He noted that the event’s timing, coinciding with the International Week of the Girl Child, reinforced the need to ensure that gender did not limit the aspirations and opportunities available to girls.
Disu recalled that when women were first admitted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1955, their roles and opportunities were restricted by the prevailing circumstances.
However, he said the pioneer female officers demonstrated competence, determination and resilience, paving the way for subsequent generations of women to take up more challenging responsibilities within the force.
“Today, women officers have moved beyond administrative and traffic duties into criminal investigation, intelligence, tactical operations, specialist policing and strategic management. They lead commands and direct operations, proving that competence, leadership and dedication are not defined by gender,” he said.
The IGP described Okuyiga, who was among the first 20 women recruited into the Nigeria Police Force in 1955, as a member of a distinguished generation that ventured into uncharted territory and established a place for women in an institution where their opportunities were once limited.
“Mama, your service represents not merely a personal career but a significant chapter in the history of our force,” Disu said.
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In her remarks, Okuyiga, popularly known as Mama, described the book launch as a significant milestone in her life, expressing delight that her experiences would be preserved for future generations.
She said the publication would ensure that her legacy endured, adding that the book would be available in libraries worldwide to enable readers to learn from her experiences and contributions to policing.
Reflecting on her years in the force, the retired police officer said the institution had undergone significant changes since she joined in 1955, noting that population growth had created new challenges for policing.
She also commended Disu for encouraging female officers to pursue professional development and career advancement.
According to her, the current police leadership has shown commitment to ensuring that women acquire the education, skills and opportunities needed to progress in their careers.
Representing Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the Secretary to the State Government described the book as more than a historical account, saying it documented the courage, sacrifices and achievements of women who contributed to the development of the Nigeria Police Force.
He said their stories deserved to be preserved, celebrated and passed on to future generations.
The governor’s representative added that the contributions of women to policing demonstrated that professionalism, discipline, courage and commitment to public service transcended gender.
He urged young people, particularly girls, to draw inspiration from the experiences of the pioneer officers and pursue leadership positions in law enforcement and other areas of national development.
Fubara also commended Okuyiga for documenting the history of women in the police force at the age of 96.
Similarly, the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, represented by a director in the ministry, said the publication would preserve the history of women in policing, recognise their contributions and inspire young girls to serve the country with pride.
The Force Gender Adviser to the IGP, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aishatu Abubakar, delivered a lecture on the evolution of women in policing and national security.
The book was reviewed by Dr Setechi Okechukwu Eli.
Among those who attended the event were a former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Gabriel Toby, and his wife; serving and retired assistant inspectors-general of police; the commissioners of police in Rivers and Bayelsa states; serving and retired judicial officers; educationists; traditional rulers; the Rivers State Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Dr Voke Emore; and representatives of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
