By Francis Wilfred
The Federal Government has announced plans to review the Private Security Companies Act of 1986 to reflect current security realities and align the industry with global best practices. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, during the 5th Private Security Industry Summit and the 9th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) in Abuja.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo said the existing legislation is outdated and no longer meets the needs of Nigeria’s rapidly evolving security environment. He emphasized that updating the Private Security Companies Act is critical to strengthening national security and enhancing the sector’s capacity for intelligence gathering.
In a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, Mary Ali, the Minister noted that private security companies play an increasingly vital role in providing actionable intelligence.
“We are at a point in Nigeria where private security companies are key to what we want to achieve,” he said. “We don’t just need you for security, but also for gathering credible and factual intelligence.”
He added that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that private security firms in Nigeria operate at internationally acceptable standards. According to him, achieving this goal requires professional management practices, strict compliance with regulations, and the recruitment of well-trained and trustworthy personnel.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo further highlighted the sector’s economic importance, stating that private security companies currently employ more than one million Nigerians. He described the industry as a major contributor to national stability and employment generation, adding that a more coordinated private security framework would boost the country’s overall security architecture.
Speaking at the summit, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commended the timeliness of the gathering. He described it as “a meaningful platform to advance the development of the private security industry in Nigeria.”
Prof. Audi reaffirmed the NSCDC’s readiness to deepen collaboration with ALPSPN to strengthen national security initiatives.
In his welcome address, the President of ALPSPN, Dr. Chris Adigwu, said the summit offers an opportunity to identify policy gaps and propose reforms that will strengthen private security operations nationwide. He stressed that a more coordinated and resilient private security architecture will complement government efforts in safeguarding lives and property.
The summit brought together key stakeholders from across the security sector, including policymakers, regulators, and private security operators. Discussions focused on modernizing private security operations, improving regulatory compliance, and enhancing public–private partnerships in security management.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Federal Government to update the Private Security Companies Act and address emerging security challenges. The review, they said, would help position the sector as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s national security and intelligence framework.
