NILDS D-G calls for effective oversight of private security companies

Muhyideen Jimoh
Mar, Tue, 2025

Politics

NILDS D-G calls for effective oversight of private security companies

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By EricJames Ochigbo

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has called for effective oversight of private security companies in the country.

Sulaiman made the call at the opening of a workshop on Private Security Governance and Legislative Oversight in Nigeria

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that workshop was organised by NILDS, in partnership with African Law Foundation (AFRILAW) and Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)

NAN also reports that the workshop was organised for chairmen and clerks of security- related committees in the National Assembly.

Sulaiman said that the role of the private security sector in Nigeria had become increasingly crucial in augmenting public security and ensuring the safety of lives and property.

He said that private security industry in Nigeria had witnessed exponential growth in recent years, with well over 1,500 registered companies providing security services.

According to him, their services now go beyond the traditional guarding, to include more technical services like private surveillance and investigative services.

He said that while the growth presented opportunities to improve national security and job creation, it also gave rise to a new set of governance challenges, which required effective oversight by the legislature.

Sulaiman said that with the evolving security landscape, driven by complex and emerging threats such as insurgency, banditry, cyber threats and transnational crimes, it was imperative to strengthen the governance and oversight of private security operations in the country.

“As chairmen and clerks of security-related committees, your roles in enacting effective legislation and ensuring diligent oversight cannot be overstated.

“Robust legislative oversight is fundamental to ensuring that the private security sector operates within the framework of national laws, adheres to international best practices and complements the efforts of state security agencies in maintaining peace and order,” he said.

The director-general stressed the need for urgently amending the Private Guard Companies Act, 1986 which is the primary law regulating private security companies in the country.

He said that the law was crafted without consideration to the current private security landscape or evolving threats.

Sulaiman further stated that the workshop would provide an opportunity to examine international experiences, best practices and key legislative interventions that could be applied to enhance the effectiveness, accountability and professionalism of the sector.

In her remarks, the Programme Manager of DCAF, Ms Gabrielle Prinklopilova, said that the centre, established in 2000, was an initiative of Swiss Government.

Prinklopilova also said that the organisation, governed by a foundation council of 40 member-states, offered support to states, international organisations and civil society organisations to build effective, inclusive and accountable security institutions, guided by international norms and practices.

“We help states regulate private military and security companies and to ensure that the operations align with legal standards, human rights and public security needs.

“We also develop national regulatory frameworks and we are here with our esteemed partner, to work with them to strengthen regulatory frameworks in Nigeria,” she said.

Chairmen of House of Representatives Committees on Police Affairs and Army, expressed their willingness to champion the amendments of relevant laws regulating the sector.

The Chairman of the Committee on Army, Rep. Aminu Balele (APC-Katsina), represented by Rep. David Ogewu (APC-Benue), said that every Nigerian had a role to play in the security of the country.

He said that the national assembly had been very committed to security matters, as seen in the budgetary allocation to the sector.

The lawmaker said that the committee was looking forward to the outcome of the workshop, as its own contribution to legislative and policy formulation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

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