The future of Nigeria’s security is worrisome. It is time we become fully aware of what we can do together as an industry to improve security. We are now at a critical point where security has become a profit-driven focus, which is a dangerous trend in a developing business environment like Nigeria. As Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current president, said, “Security shall be the top priority of our administration… neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.” Similarly, Nigerian comedian Ayodeji Richard Makun said, “Security is a serious issue, and it affects every Nigerian. When people do not feel safe, daily life becomes difficult.” We must collaborate to ensure that the quality of security does not continue to degrade.
When recruiting and deploying personnel, we must invest in rigorous vetting, thorough training, and background checks to ensure each security officer is psychologically ready for public deployment. We are in an era where risks—kidnapping, theft, violence, and vandalism—are at their peak in Nigeria. As an industry, we must come together to eliminate shortcuts and ensure top-tier quality. We must break the culture of forcing guards into 24-hour shifts, which is inhumane. Instead, we should implement 8- or 12-hour shifts, allow breaks, and ensure continuous monthly training. As Jeff Bezos once said, “I think we need to do a better job for our employees… We need a better vision for how we create value for them.” In other words, when it comes to security guards, it is not enough to employ them and leave them stagnant.
We must have a vision to increase their value every day, helping them grow into the best versions of themselves while they serve as security professionals. We currently urge the members of the public to treat all security personnel with due respect. Security is not trash; it is a career, a job, and a risky one at that, where guards put their lives on the line to protect assets, people, and lives. Every day, they are out there, and we must show them the respect they deserve. Respect goes both ways; we train our personnel to the highest level of customer service, de-escalation, and always putting clients first.
Yet, of late, some people treat security guards as less than human—asking them to wash cars, sweep floors, or care for pets. In our company, that is never acceptable. I urge other security companies to stand up for their guards, say no to bad practices, and insist on what is right. It is time we stand up for what is right; it is time we stand up for our security guards.
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