The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has assured that the Private Security Companies Act of 1986 will be reviewed to reflect contemporary security realities and align with international best practices.
The Minister made this known while delivering the keynote address at the 5th Private Security Industry Summit and the 9th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized the critical role of private security companies in intelligence gathering and national security, noting that the industry has become indispensable to the country’s safety architecture.
“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 security, but also for gathering credible and factual intelligence,” he said.
He disclosed that the Federal Government is determined to ensure that private security companies in Nigeria are globally competitive, professionally managed, and staffed with competent and trustworthy personnel.
Highlighting the sector’s contribution to the national economy, the Minister revealed that the private security industry currently employed over one million Nigerians, describing it as a vital contributor to national stability and job creation.
Also speaking, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, lauded the summit as a timely initiative to enhance collaboration and strengthen the private security sector. He pledged continued partnership between the NSCDC and ALPSPN to promote coordinated security efforts nationwide.
In his welcome address, Dr. Chris Adigwu, President of ALPSPN, said the summit provided an opportunity to identify operational gaps and chart a roadmap toward a more cohesive and resilient private security framework that complements government efforts.
The summit brought together key players in Nigeria’s security landscape who reaffirmed their commitment to modernising private security operations and deepening public-private collaboration in safeguarding lives and property.
