Abuja, Nigeria (TheGavel) – In a bold move to promote gender equality within Nigeria’s security sector, Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), has called for concerted efforts to eliminate the barriers that hinder women from attaining leadership roles in security institutions. This plea was made during the opening of a one-week Leadership and Mentoring Course for Senior Female Officers in Nigerian Security Sector Institutions, held in Abuja on Monday. The course, which is a collaboration between the NDC Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, the UN Women, and the German Government, aims to enhance leadership skills among female officers and foster a culture of mentorship.
Olotu emphasized that the course represents a critical step toward shaping the future of the nation’s security institutions by providing women with the highest level of professional military education. He underscored the need for a supportive network that encourages women to take on leadership roles and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s security architecture.
“We cannot afford to ignore the critical roles that women play in shaping our security forces in these modern times. In spite of the progress made towards gender inclusivity, there are still persistent barriers that limit women from ascending to the highest levels of command and leadership. Thus, addressing these gaps holistically has the potential to strengthen our institutions and improve our collective capacity to meet contemporary security challenges,” Olotu said.
The course aligns with the principles of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which stresses the importance of women’s participation in decision-making processes, particularly in peacekeeping and conflict resolution. Olotu further encouraged security institutions to adopt sustainable practices that ensure a long-term impact on women’s leadership, while urging the participants to not only acquire knowledge but also actively contribute to the development of a sustainable mentoring framework for future generations.
In her remarks, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women’s Country Representative, lauded the NDC for organizing the course and expressed gratitude to the German Government for its support in promoting gender inclusivity within Nigeria’s security sector. Represented by Peter Mansha, Deputy Program Manager for Women Peace and Security, Eyong noted that UN Women has been working with Nigeria since 2020 to close the gender gap in security institutions through the “Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue” project. The project was initiated after assessments revealed significant gender disparities within Nigeria’s security institutions.
Eyong highlighted that the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have adopted gender policies to operationalize gender inclusivity, adding that progress is already being observed as women begin to take up leadership positions within these institutions. However, she emphasized that capacity building and institutional strengthening are crucial to making security institutions more gender-responsive.
The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther, represented by Deputy Defence Attache Lt.-Col. Michael Gerstenecher, echoed the sentiment, noting that lasting peace and security cannot be achieved without women’s participation. She remarked that women’s increasing presence in the security sector not only enhances gender equality but also improves the effectiveness and quality of security institutions. Gunther pointed out that, globally, including in her own country, Germany, women remain underrepresented in security forces, and challenges such as under-representation, gender bias, sexual harassment, and work-life balance issues continue to affect women’s careers in the sector.
Prof. Adam Ahmed, Provost of the NDC Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, also weighed in, affirming that the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1325 calls for the inclusion of women in all areas of administration, decision-making, and peace efforts. According to him, the course is designed to equip women with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively take on leadership roles in the security sector.
The leadership course is expected to provide a platform for the senior female officers to not only gain new insights but also to contribute towards institutional reforms that will ensure a more inclusive and gender-responsive security framework in Nigeria. (NAN)
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