The Nigeria Police Force has paid glowing tribute to one of its most iconic trailblazers, Retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Cecilia Adebisi Ugowe, as she marked her 90th birthday, celebrating a lifetime that reshaped gender boundaries and professional standards within Nigeria’s law enforcement system.
Ugowe’s story stands out in the long and often male-dominated history of the Nigeria Police Force, not merely because of the ranks she attained, but because of the era she conquered. She joined the police at a time when leadership opportunities for women were rare, institutional resistance was strong, and societal expectations limited female advancement in uniformed services.
Through discipline, resilience, and consistent excellence, Ugowe defied those odds and steadily rose through the ranks. Her career journey saw her become the first female Commissioner of Police, the first woman appointed as Assistant Inspector-General of Police, and the first female Force Secretary. She later crowned this unprecedented run by becoming the first woman to attain the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police, a feat that firmly etched her name into Nigeria’s policing history.
The Police Force described her rise as a victory of merit over prejudice, noting that her leadership style emphasised professionalism, accountability, and service to the nation. Officers who served under her recall a firm but fair administrator who placed discipline and institutional integrity above personal interests, setting a standard that many still reference today.
Beyond the titles she held, Ugowe’s influence extended to structural change within the Force. Her presence at the highest levels of command challenged long-standing assumptions about women’s roles in policing and encouraged institutional reforms that gradually widened opportunities for female officers across the country. Many senior women officers currently serving trace their confidence and ambition to the example she set decades earlier.
The Nigeria Police Force, in reflecting on her 90th birthday, described her career as a living lesson in leadership built on competence rather than convention. The institution acknowledged that her legacy continues to shape training, promotions, and perceptions of women in uniform, long after her retirement from active service.
In a message issued from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised Ugowe’s enduring contributions, describing her as a symbol of courage whose impact transcends generations. He noted that her service helped strengthen professionalism within the Force while inspiring officers to pursue excellence regardless of gender or background.
DDM reports that the celebration of Ugowe’s milestone birthday has also sparked renewed conversations within security circles about gender inclusion, leadership ethics, and the importance of preserving institutional memory in Nigeria’s policing system.
As she marks nine decades of life, Cecilia Adebisi Ugowe stands not just as a retired officer, but as a national figure whose career redefined what was possible for women in law enforcement. Her story remains a powerful reminder that true leadership leaves footprints long after the uniform is folded away.