As a young girl, Joy Kanu longed for an education beyond primary school, but her parents saw no value in investing in a girl’s future. To them, any benefits would be lost once she married and became part of another family. Instead, they pressured her to wed early, fearing the shame of an unwanted pregnancy.

In 1955, just shy of her 22nd birthday, Joy Kanu enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force as one of its first twenty female officers, holding badge number 0018. At the Southern Police College in Ikeja, Lagos, she excelled academically and led her peers in a traditional dance performance at King George V Stadium when Queen Elizabeth II visited Nigeria in 1956.

Upon completing her training, she earned a coveted posting to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, a role reserved for the most promising recruits. Her dedication and exemplary performance secured her place among the first four policewomen to receive a promotion.

Transitioning to active duty, Joy took on the demanding task of traffic control on the bustling streets of Lagos, where her efficiency and composure captivated the public. Crowds and journalists gathered to watch her in action, and her image frequently appeared in major publications like Daily Times and DRUM.