The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday, established a nine-member committee to reform and enhance the private security sector in Nigeria
The committee, chaired by Dr. Aishatu Gogo Ndayako, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, will seek to standardise private security guard companies to better serve Nigeria’s security needs.
Tunji-Ojo, while speaking as the Chairman of a Stakeholders Consultative Meeting held in Abuja, acknowledged the role private guard companies play in complementing conventional security agencies.
He called for strict adherence to regulatory rules, a responsibility he tasked the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enforce diligently.
The committee, which includes two members from the Interior Ministry, three from the NSCDC, and three from the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), was given a three-week deadline to submit its report.
The goal is to ensure private security companies meet the nation’s security standards and contribute effectively to the security framework.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured the private security sector of the ministry’s support and noted that the reforms would benefit compliant companies.
He also stressed the need for cooperation among all stakeholders to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges effectively.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Ndayako welcomed participants and explained that the meeting is to address key challenges, and explore innovative solutions, and enhancing the professionalism of private security services. She called for active participation and contributions from operators nationwide.
On his part, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, underscored the importance of coordination between state actors and private security operators. He noted the NSCDC’s statutory role in training, supervising, and licensing private security practitioners as mandated by the NSCDC Act (Amendment) 2007.
Dr. Audi highlighted the Corps’ success in expanding licensed private security companies from 525 in 2006 to 1,333 in 2023.
ALPSPN President, Mr. Chris Adigwu, who represented private security operators, commended the Minister for initiating the consultative meeting and pledged adherence to forthcoming reforms.
The meeting featured presentations on challenges and solutions by regional representatives, which were addressed by Tunji-Ojo, ensuring a comprehensive approach to enhancing Nigeria’s private security sector.