By Obasola Olatunde
The Federal Government has announced plans to review the Private Security Companies Act of 1986 to align it with present day security realities, strengthen intelligence collaboration, and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday while delivering a keynote address at the 5th Private Security Industry Summit and 9th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN).
In a statement by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mary Ali, the minister underscored the indispensable role of private security companies in complementing the nation’s internal security architecture, particularly in the area of intelligence gathering and early threat detection.
“We are at a time in Nigeria where private security companies are key to what we want to achieve. We don’t just need you for protection of assets but also for credible and factual intelligence gathering,” Tunji Ojo said.
He noted that the private security sector currently employs over one million Nigerians, describing it as a vital contributor to national stability and economic growth.
According to him, the review of the 1986 Act will help reposition the sector for better regulation, enhance professionalism, and improve synergy with security agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“Nigeria’s security goals cannot be achieved without a strong and professional private security industry. We want to make this sector globally competitive, accountable, and effectively managed,” the minister added.
Also speaking at the event, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, hailed the summit’s timeliness, describing it as a platform for dialogue and reform in the fast-growing private security industry.
Prof. Audi reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to continuous collaboration with ALPSPN to enhance coordination and intelligence-sharing in tackling insecurity nationwide.
In his remarks, Dr. Chris Adigwu, President of ALPSPN, said the summit offered an opportunity to identify operational challenges and chart a path towards a more unified and technology-driven private security framework that aligns with the federal government’s national security strategy.
“This engagement will enable us to strengthen professionalism, foster public confidence, and ensure that private security services in Nigeria are positioned to support government’s vision for a safer and more resilient nation,” Adigwu stated.
The summit, attended by top government officials, security experts, and industry stakeholders, focused on redefining private security’s role in intelligence sharing, crime prevention, and community safety in line with global standards.