Professionalism is the backbone of adequate security, yet it's often missing in Nigeria's private sector. Guards are deployed with minimal training, supervisors lack assessment skills, and companies operate with little oversight. This leads to gaps that put businesses and lives at risk. The need for professionalism in the private security sector is clear, and it's time to address these issues.

A professional security industry requires standards: mandatory training, licensing, regular audits, and a culture of accountability. Guards should know how to handle emergencies, report incidents, and understand site-specific risks. Supervisors must be able to assess threats and write clear, actionable reports.

The path forward is clear: government agencies and security associations need to work together to set, enforce, and regularly update standards. Security companies must invest in staff development and refuse to cut corners. Clients should demand evidence of training and certification before signing any contract.

Professionalism is not just about uniforms or paperwork—it is about trust. When trust is broken, everyone pays the price.

Let us raise the bar for security in Nigeria: push for industry-wide certification, invest in continuous training, and expect more from everyone in the chain.

What single change would most improve professionalism in security? Have your say below.