The Nigerian Senate has received a major new bill sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, aimed at bringing order, professionalism, and national-level coordination to the rapidly expanding private security sector.
The proposed legislation — A Bill for an Act to Make Provision for the Registration and Grant of Licence for the Use of Private Security Companies in Nigeria — seeks to integrate private security companies into the country’s security architecture, complement military operations, and strengthen national defence amid evolving threats.
Central to the bill is the establishment of the Nigerian Private Security Companies Registration Council, a statutory body empowered to license, regulate, and oversee all private security firms nationwide. The council, to be domiciled in the Presidency, is designed as a corporate entity with perpetual succession, powers to sue and be sued, and authority to own and manage property.
Under the proposal, the council will be chaired by the National Security Adviser and include high-level members such as the Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police, Attorney General of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence (who will serve as secretary), and six representatives—one from each geopolitical zone—with at least 15 years of experience in security, military affairs, or international humanitarian law. Presidential appointees will serve a four-year term, renewable once, with vacancies filled within two months.
The bill outlines far-reaching objectives: defining the permissible scope of private security services; setting transparent selection and regulatory procedures; easing pressure on conventional law enforcement; enforcing compliance with international humanitarian law; and improving public trust through increased transparency. The President may assign additional objectives as necessary.
If passed, the council will issue, renew, or revoke operational licences; maintain a national database of private security firms; set standards for licensing, training, and operations; develop guidelines for weapons use; and ensure that firms possess the financial capacity for sustained service delivery. All key decisions will require presidential approval, and the council must submit quarterly reports to both the President and the National Assembly.
A fully structured secretariat—staffed by public service officers and coordinated by the Permanent Secretary of Defence—will support the council. Staff welfare, allowances, and discipline will follow public service regulations.
Financially, the bill provides for a dedicated fund comprising National Assembly appropriations, licence fees, and other income streams. Annual accounts must be audited by an approved firm, with audited reports submitted to the President by March 31 each year.
The bill takes a firm stance on illegal operations: running any private security or military-style service without a licence will attract life imprisonment, while unlicensed corporate entities will be dissolved, and their directors also face life imprisonment. Only companies incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act may obtain licences, and all offences will fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
Explaining the rationale behind the legislation, Senator Nwoko said the bill is crafted to ensure accountability and professionalism in the booming private security industry, which, if properly regulated, can significantly bolster the nation’s security system. Once enacted, the legislation will be cited as the Private Security Registration Act, 2024.
