NIGERIA: Police High Command justifies new women dress code, says adopted in line with international best practices
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
“This has informed the improvement for effective global workforce diversity management. Other countries that have adopted same dress code include Canada, the United States of America, Sweden, Turkey, Australia and the United Kingdom amongst others.”
The Nigerian Police Force Headquarters formerly issued a statement announcing its approval of a new dress code for women officers.
The DEFENDER, in an earlier publication Friday 4 March, 2022, had reported the accolades the police received from Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) citing a signal issued to all departments, commands and training institutions of the foremost security agency all over Nigeria.
Photographs of female soldiers of the US Army already using what the police in Nigeria has now implemented were also published by The DEFENDER, as part of its usual media responsibility of explaining official policies of state, the new police policy on women dress code inclusive, to the average man in the street.
We gathered that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in a yet to be sighted comment reacting to the police signal sighted by this online newspaper, pounced on the Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba alleging him of “Islamising” the force.
Later on Friday, the Police High Command, through an official statement issued by Acting Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said:
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, has approved a new and improved dress code for Women Officers which permits them to wear stud earrings, and headscarf under their berets or peak caps as the case may be while in uniform”, with a clear explanation that the new dress code is in line with global standard.
The Force PRO, in the statement with Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.4/88 dated March 4, 2022, said the dress code was unveiled at the IGP’s meeting with strategic police managers on Thursday March 3, 2022.
“The IGP noted that the Nigeria Police workforce has officers from every local government in the country with a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds, and an increased inclusion of female folks. This therefore brings the need to guarantee inclusion, gender mainstreaming, ethnic and religious diversity in the work place for optimum output and professionalism.
“This has informed the improvement for effective global workforce diversity management. Other countries that have adopted same dress code include Canada, the United States of America, Sweden, Turkey, Australia and the United Kingdom amongst others.
“The dress code is optional and Senior Women Police Officers have been tasked by the IGP to ensure compliance with the approved standard for women police officers who have opted to adopt the dress code.
“The Inspector-General of Police noted that this development, which is in line with international best practices addresses the growing concern for gender mainstreaming and respect for culture and diversity.”
