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By Enyeribe Ejiogu
Nigeria-South African-based techpreneur and cybersecurity expert, Charles Awuzie, has stated that Nigeria’s private security sector is worth billions of dollars, but many people ignorantly think it only means “gate guards” jobs.
Awuzie, founder and CEO of Gemsbok Group, stated this during a briefing on the forthcoming Nigeria National Private Security Conference (NPSC) 2026, tagged the first Nigerian citizen-driven security conference, scheduled to hold on June 13 at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
The NPSC, themed ‘Building a modern security ecosystem: Integrating private sector capacity into Nigeria’s national security architecture’, will be chaired by the Nigerian Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa.
Awuzie, who is the convener of the conference, lamented that private security is one of the most underutilised components of Nigeria’s national security architecture.
“Nigeria represents one of the world’s most dynamic and underserved security markets. With rising urban complexity, critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, and a government increasingly open to private sector involvement, the conditions for rapid market growth are firmly in place,” he said.
He explained that globally, private security has evolved into intelligence gathering, surveillance systems, cybersecurity support, drone monitoring, emergency response, forensic support, and community protection.
He called for a serious national conversation with Nigeria’s lawmakers, security agencies, defence institutions, technology companies, investors, and operators to discuss practical solutions for the reforms and modernisation of Nigeria’s private security ecosystem.
“Nigeria is at an inflection point. Legislative reform, deepening federal-private collaboration, and a national consensus on security modernisation are converging, creating a narrow but significant window of opportunity for early movers.
“The government alone cannot carry the security burden of over 200 million people. The private sector must become a structured and regulated partner in national security,” he said.
He elaborated on how Nigeria’s private security market is worth billions of dollars and will continue growing rapidly because insecurity increases demand for protection and surveillance.
“The private security market serves businesses, estates, schools, hospitals, governments, banks, oil and gas facilities, telecom companies, religious centres, and ordinary citizens. As urbanisation and technology adoption increase, the demand for modern security services will continue to expand,” he said.
Awuzie revealed that the conference would feature exhibitions that would turn visibility into revenue, exposure, leads, contracts, and expansion. He described the exhibitions as the most powerful tool for market entry and brand positioning in Nigeria’s security sector this year.
Expected to speak at the conference are the president of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr Chris Adigwu, and the Director General (DG) of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Babatunde Alaya. Some government leaders, national security leaders, and others who would speak are to be announced.
Awuzie noted that the NPSC 2026 conference is a leadership platform capable of driving national security and is convened by a team of Nigeria’s most respected voices in security, including Dr M.S. Abubakar, Ms Zulaykhah Aileru, Arc. Simon Musa, Mr Lawrence Pepple, Mr Ademola Adetuberu, Mr Jeremiah Oluwaseun, Barr. Chisom, Honourable David Nwaenyi, and Mr Job Musa.
