AIG Aishatu Abubakar: Breaking Barriers, Redefining Leadership in the Nigeria Police Force

In the long history of the Nigeria Police Force, few names resonate as powerfully as that of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Aishatu Abubakar. As the most senior-ranking female police officer currently serving in the country, her story is one of courage, intellect, and quiet but transformative impact.

Born in 1971 in Biu, Borno State, Aishatu Abubakar’s early life was shaped across northeastern Nigeria. Though her roots are firmly in Borno, she was raised in Adamawa State, where discipline, resilience and community values helped define her formative years. From an early age, she displayed an uncommon determination that would later propel her into spaces few women had dared to occupy.

Her academic journey set her apart long before she donned the police uniform. In 1994, she graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. At a time when professional women were still underrepresented in both science and security sectors, Abubakar chose an unconventional path. Rather than settling into a traditional veterinary career, she answered a higher national call.

In 1995, she joined the Nigeria Police Force as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), bringing with her not only academic excellence but a deep sense of service. Over the decades, she rose steadily through the ranks, earning respect for her professionalism, intellect, and unwavering commitment to institutional reform.

One of her most defining legacies lies in her role as the intellectual force behind the repeal of Sections 126 and 127 of the old Police Act. These provisions permitted the dismissal of unmarried policewomen who became pregnant while in service—an archaic regulation that symbolised systemic gender discrimination. Through persistence, policy engagement and advocacy from within the system, AIG Abubakar helped end a practice that had derailed countless careers and lives. Today, many female officers serve with dignity and security because she chose to challenge injustice.

Her excellence has not gone unnoticed at the national level. She is a recipient of the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) and the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), honours that reflect her outstanding contributions to national development and public service.

Beyond policing, AIG Abubakar has continued to break new ground in professional leadership. She currently serves as President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, becoming the first woman to hold the position since the council’s establishment in 1953. This rare dual achievement—leading at the highest levels of both national security and professional regulation—underscores the breadth of her capacity and influence.

Her leadership journey also bridges tradition and modern governance. She holds the royal title of Queen of the Royal Heart of Gembu’s serene crest and is the first woman to be adorned as Gimbiya in the proud domain of Biu. In a society where tradition often resists change, her elevation stands as a symbol of progress and acceptance of women’s leadership in all spheres.

AIG Aishatu Abubakar’s life is more than a record of titles and achievements. It is a testament to what is possible when courage meets competence, and when reform is driven from within. For young women in uniform and beyond, she remains a powerful reminder that barriers—legal, cultural or institutional—can be dismantled with vision, persistence and integrity.

In redefining what leadership looks like in the Nigeria Police Force, AIG Abubakar has not only made history; she has reshaped it.