•Tunji-Ojo
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has assured Nigerians that the Private Security Companies Act of 1986 will be revisited and reviewed to reflect current security realities and align with global best practices.
Tunji-Ojo made this commitment during 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 yesterday.
In his keynote address, the minister emphasised the strategic role of private security companies in enhancing national security through effective intelligence gathering, reports Daily Independent.
“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,” Tunji-Ojo said.
Tunji-Ojo further noted that the federal government is committed to ensuring that private security companies in Nigeria are internationally competitive, professionally managed, and staffed with trustworthy and well-trained officers.
Highlighting the importance of the association to the national economy, the Minister revealed that the private security sector employs over one million Nigerians, making it a significant contributor to national stability and employment generation.
According to a statement by the Head, Press & Public Relations, Mary Ali, the minister stressed that a stronger and more coordinated private security industry is essential to improving the country’s overall security landscape.
Speaking at the event, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commended the timeliness of the summit, describing it as “a meaningful platform to advance the development of the private security industry in Nigeria.” He reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to working closely with ALPSPN to enhance security collaboration nationwide.
In his welcome address, the President of ALPSPN, Dr. Chris Adigwu, stated that the summit provides an opportunity to identify gaps and chart a path toward a coordinated and resilient private security architecture that complements national security objectives.
The summit brought together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s security sector, reaffirming the shared commitment to modernize private security operations and strengthen public-private cooperation in safeguarding the nation.
