The New Security Frontier: How Charles Awuzie Is Building a Private-Sector–Driven Revolution for Safer Communities
By Matthew Eloyi
Nigeria’s security landscape is undergoing one of its most challenging periods in recent history. From insurgency to banditry, mass kidnappings to cybercrime, urban violence to oil theft, the nation faces threats that are layered, fast-moving and increasingly complex. Yet, in the midst of these overlapping crises, a reform-driven voice is pushing for a fresh way of thinking, one that blends state action with private-sector innovation, technology and community engagement. That voice is Charles Awuzie, convener of the National Private Security Conference (NPSC), who believes Nigeria must urgently redesign its security architecture to match the realities of a modern world.
In an exclusive conversation with OurNigeria News Magazine, Awuzie described Nigeria’s security situation as “overstretched but not hopeless.” According to him, the core of the problem is not merely insecurity but a widening capacity and coordination gap. He argues that the country’s traditional security architecture was designed for a different era, one in which threats were predictable and government institutions monopolised force and intelligence. Today’s threats, he notes, are networked, technology-driven and lightning-fast, making it impossible for state institutions alone to carry the full burden.
Awuzie believes the solution lies in a new paradigm that integrates regulated private-sector participation and modern technology into Nigeria’s security framework. He laments that the nation’s private security laws remain outdated, imagining private security as “night guards with torchlights” rather than sophisticated organisations equipped with surveillance centres, AI-driven analytics, forensics capabilities, cyber defence teams and rapid response units. Meanwhile, countries like South Africa, where Awuzie has led cybersecurity operations, are thriving with millions of regulated private security personnel, thousands of licensed firms and strong regulatory systems that complement state policing.
It was this contrast between Nigeria’s potential and its current underutilisation of talent that inspired the creation of the National Private Security Conference scheduled for June 13, 2026. Awuzie envisions the conference as a national platform where policymakers, regulators, military and police leaders, private security operators, technologists, investors, academics, youth groups and community organisations can collectively redesign the country’s security architecture. He insists that Nigeria must move beyond complaints and begin developing the legal, institutional and technological frameworks required for a professional, globally competitive private security industry.
The conference, he says, is designed to address three critical gaps: outdated policies, poor coordination between public and private actors, and weak capacity within the private security industry. Awuzie emphasises that the NPSC will not function as a talk shop but a solution-driven forum that produces concrete outputs including a national position paper, model Standard Operating Procedures for collaboration, and frameworks for data sharing, joint operations and incident reporting. For him, the biggest challenge is not only legal but emotional: a long-standing distrust between state agencies and private security operators that has hindered meaningful cooperation. By bringing generals, commissioners, private security CEOs, technologists and community leaders to the same table, he hopes to build trust and normalise collaboration.
The calibre of participants expected at NPSC reflects its ambition. The conference will attract senior government officials, National Assembly members, military and intelligence leaders, private security executives, cybersecurity innovators, international experts, university researchers and civil society organisations. Importantly, Awuzie insists that Nigerian youths and community leaders must be part of the conversation because they represent the workforce and beneficiaries of a reformed security ecosystem.
Technology, Awuzie explains, will be at the centre of discussions. The conference will showcase innovations ranging from AI-powered surveillance and smart tracking systems to cyber defence tools, biometrics, predictive analytics and integrated command-and-control centres. He acknowledges that Nigeria’s private security sector is uneven, noting that some companies operate with world-class capabilities, while others remain stuck in outdated practices. The goal of the conference is to bridge this gap and transition the industry from manpower-heavy operations to a balanced approach that combines human skills with cutting-edge technology.
Awuzie also speaks optimistically about Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, whom he describes as a seasoned commander with the experience and mindset needed to support modern security reforms. He believes Musa’s leadership will drive stronger coordination among the armed forces, encourage innovation within the defence ministry and enhance partnerships with regulated private actors. According to Awuzie, the kind of reforms that NPSC is advocating will find a willing partner in the Minister’s office.
Looking beyond the conference, Awuzie outlines the long-term reforms he hopes will emerge from the NPSC. These include a new Private Security and Security Technology Act, an independent regulatory authority modelled after South Africa’s PSIRA, structured intelligence-sharing protocols, formalisation of vigilante groups into trained operators, and incentives that reward companies that invest in training and technology. He believes Nigeria can build a security industry that attracts investors, creates thousands of jobs and enhances community safety.
At the heart of Awuzie’s advocacy is a simple conviction: security is everybody’s business. He argues that communities, citizens and private organisations must become proactive stakeholders in national security rather than passive recipients of government protection. He hopes that the NPSC will help citizens understand how regulated private security can protect neighbourhoods, schools, farms and businesses; organise stronger community structures linked to formal systems; and demand higher standards from both private providers and state agencies. For private organisations, he wants them to see security as an investment in business continuity rather than a financial burden.
Awuzie’s vision is ambitious, but it is grounded in practical experience and global best practices. His message resonates with a country searching for new answers: Nigeria cannot defeat modern threats with outdated tools or siloed institutions. The future of national security lies in collaboration, innovation, professionalisation and shared responsibility. As the National Private Security Conference approaches, it promises to be more than an event; it may well mark the beginning of a new social contract between the state, the private sector and the Nigerian people, one that embraces a whole-of-society approach to creating a safer nation.
BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES AWUZIE
OurNigeria News: Nigeria is currently grappling with a complex security landscape, from insurgency to banditry, cybercrime, and urban violence. As someone invested in private-sector-driven solutions, how would you describe the current state of national security?
Charles Awuzie: I would describe Nigeria’s current security situation as overstretched but not hopeless. We are dealing with multiple layers of threat at the same time – insurgency in some corridors, banditry and mass kidnappings, farmer–herder conflicts, oil theft in the Niger Delta, urban robbery and cult violence, plus a fast growing layer of cybercrime. The truth is simple: our traditional security architecture was designed for a different era. It was built for a world where threats were more linear and where government could monopolise force and intelligence.
Today, threats are networked, data driven and very fast. So what we are seeing is not just “insecurity.” We are seeing a capacity gap and a coordination gap. The men and women in uniform are doing the best they can, but state institutions alone can no longer carry the full weight. That is why I keep saying: if we do not open up the security space to regulated private participation and technology, we will remain permanently reactive instead of proactive.
OurNigeria News: What key gaps do you see in Nigeria’s security architecture that make a private security-focused national conference both timely and necessary?
Charles Awuzie: There are several critical gaps. First, a legal and policy gap. Our main private security laws are outdated. They imagine private security as night guards with torchlights, not as professional companies running surveillance centres, AI analytics, forensics labs and rapid response teams. The law has not caught up with reality.
Second, a coordination gap. Private security companies, community vigilantes, technology firms and even cyber defenders are sitting on massive amounts of data and early warning signals, but there is no structured pipeline that connects them to the police, DSS, military and other agencies.
Third, a capacity and regulation gap. We have thousands of private security guards, but many are poorly trained, poorly paid and weakly regulated. At the same time, serious security technologists and investors are not incentivised or properly recognised as part of the security ecosystem.
The National Private Security Conference is necessary because we need one national table where lawmakers, regulators, security agencies, private operators, technologists and communities can sit down and say: “How do we redesign this architecture so that government plus regulated private security plus technology work together in a disciplined way?”
OurNigeria News: What inspired you to convene this event, and what core problems is it designed to address?
Charles Awuzie: Two things inspired this. First, my personal experience leading one of South Africa’s cybersecurity companies and partnering with several private security companies. In South Africa ,there are millions of registered private security officers, thousands of licensed companies, and strong regulation. I have seen how private security, when properly regulated, can reduce pressure on the police, create jobs for young people and bring in serious investment in surveillance and technology.
Second, my frustration as a Nigerian watching us complain about insecurity, yet underutilise our own people. We have ex service men, vigilante groups, cyber experts and security entrepreneurs who are ready to help, but the legal framework and political will are not there.
So the NPSC is designed to tackle three core problems:
- The policy problem- our laws and regulations need to be updated to allow a modern, technology enabled private security sector.
- The coordination problem- we must create clear protocols for how private security, community structures and state agencies share information and work together.
- The capacity and investment problem- we have to move from “cheap guards” to a professional industry that attracts capital, trains people properly and competes globally.
OurNigeria News: How will the NPSC bridge the long-standing coordination gap between public security agencies and private security operators in Nigeria?
Charles Awuzie: We are approaching that in three ways. First, by design. The NPSC is not a private sector echo chamber. We are intentionally bringing in representatives of the military, police, DSS, NSCDC and other agencies into the conversations from day one. They are not “guests” we will just listen to; they are co owners of the dialogue.
Second, through structured outputs. This is not just a talk show. We are working towards:
- a position paper on private security democratisation,
- model Standard Operating Procedures for collaboration,
- and recommendations on data sharing, joint operations and incident reporting between public and private actors.
Third, through relationships and trust. Sometimes the gap is not only legal, it is emotional. There is suspicion on both sides. By putting generals, commissioners, private security CEOs, technologists and community leaders in the same room, and by continuing that engagement beyond the conference, we want to build a culture where collaboration is normal, not exceptional.
OurNigeria News: What calibre of participants should Nigerians expect at the conference on June 13, 2026?
Charles Awuzie: Nigerians should expect serious people, not just plenty logos. We are bringing together:
- Senior government and security leaders including National Assembly members, committee chairs, and senior representatives from Defence, Interior, Police, and other agencies.
- Private security and defence industry leaders, owners and executives of licensed private security companies, defence tech firms, and risk management consultancies.
- International experts – people who have worked in mature private security environments like South Africa and Australia, to share real models that work.
- Technology innovators – AI surveillance companies, cyber security experts, tracking and telematics providers, forensics and data analytics firms.
- Academia, civil society and media researchers, policy think tanks, journalists who shape public understanding of security issues.
- And very importantly, Nigerian youths and community leaders because you cannot talk about private security reform without the communities and the young people who will work in this industry.
So this is not a “one sector” event. It is a cross section of everyone who has something serious to contribute to a safer Nigeria.
OurNigeria News: Private security firms in Nigeria often complain of limited training, weak regulation, and low investment. How will the NPSC help reposition the industry for professionalism and global competitiveness?
Charles Awuzie: We want to move the conversation from “complaints” to concrete levers of change.
At NPSC we are focusing on:
- Regulatory reform – pushing for a modern legal framework that sets clear licensing tiers, training standards, accountability mechanisms and sanctions for abuse. When rules are clear and fair, serious investors and serious operators show up.
- Professional standards and certification – we are exploring collaborations around national training curricula, certified courses, and partnerships with universities and international bodies, so that guards, analysts and managers can progress in a real career path.
- Investment narratives – we want to show investors, banks, and large corporates that private security technology and services are not just a cost centre; they are a massive investment and employment opportunity. When investors see structure and returns, capital will follow.
- Showcasing best in class – giving a platform to firms that are already doing things right in Nigeria and across Africa, so others can benchmark and step up.
Our aim is that in a few years, when you say “Nigerian private security,” people will think of professionalism, technology and standards, not just “man at the gate with a stick.”
OurNigeria News: What role will emerging technologies play at the conference, and how prepared is Nigeria’s private security sector to adopt them?
Charles Awuzie: Technology will be at the centre of this conference. We are building sessions and demos around:
- AI powered video analytics and surveillance
- smart tracking for vehicles, assets and people
- cyber security and critical infrastructure protection
- data driven intelligence and crime prediction
- biometrics and access control
- integrated command and control centres.
In terms of readiness, I will be honest: Nigeria’s private security sector is uneven. Some companies are still operating like it is 1995. Others are already deploying CCTV networks, command centres, tracking platforms and cyber teams that can compete globally.
The job of NPSC is to close that gap. We want to help move the industry from “manpower heavy, tech light” to “manpower plus strong technology.” That means education, partnerships, and policies that make it easier for serious companies to invest in R&D, in AI, in cyber, and to plug into national systems.
OurNigeria News: With Gen. Christopher Musa now serving as the Minister of Defence, what is your assessment of his appointment, and what do you expect his leadership to bring to Nigeria’s security and defence ecosystem?
Charles Awuzie: Gen. Christopher Musa is coming in with very relevant frontline experience. He has led joint task forces in some of the most difficult theatres, and he understands both kinetic operations and the political complexities of modern conflict.
My expectation is that his leadership will help push three things:
- Better jointness
We need stronger coordination between the Army, Navy, Air Force, intelligence agencies and now the wider security ecosystem, including private partners.
- Openness to innovation
The Ministry of Defence is poised to become a driver of technology adoption, not just hardware procurement. AI, drones, data analytics, cyber defence these are not “nice to have,” they are now core to defence. If you listened to General Musa on his appearance at the Senate, you would agree that we now have a Minister who understands Technology.
- Structured partnership with regulated private actors
The state must remain the ultimate guarantor of security, but it should also know how to harness private capacity in surveillance, maintenance, logistics, and specialised skills.
Our Minister of Defence understands that a smart state uses all legitimate capacity available, the kind of reforms we are talking about at NPSC will find a willing partner in his office.
OurNigeria News: Looking beyond the conference, what long-term reforms or policy actions would you like to see emerge from the discussions at the NPSC?
Charles Awuzie: There are several, but let me highlight a few:
- A new, modern Private Security and Security Technology Act that recognises different categories of operators, from guarding to high end tech and intelligence services.
- Creation of a strong, independent regulatory authority for private security, similar to PSIRA in South Africa, with real powers to license, monitor, sanction and protect the public.
- Clear frameworks for data and intelligence sharing between private sector and government agencies, with safeguards for privacy and human rights.
- Structured programmes to convert vigilante and community security structures into trained, licensed private security operators, instead of leaving them in a legal grey zone.
- Incentives for investment and training, so that companies that invest in training, technology and compliance see real advantages.
If we come out of this process with a clear roadmap and political commitment to implement these reforms, then NPSC would have done its job.
OurNigeria News: In what ways do you believe the NPSC can empower citizens, communities, and private organizations to become proactive stakeholders in national security?
Charles Awuzie: For me, this is the heart of it. NPSC is not only about companies and government. It is about ordinary people claiming their role in security. We want to empower citizens and communities to:
- Understand how regulated private security can protect their streets, schools, farms and businesses, instead of relying only on over stretched state forces.
- Organise better community and estate security structures that are linked to formal systems, not operating in isolation.
- Demand higher standards from both private security providers and government agencies, because when you know what “good” looks like, you refuse to accept “anything goes.”
For private organisations, we want them to see that security is not just “cost.” It is business continuity, reputation and national responsibility. If, after this conference, more communities are better organised, more companies are investing in proper security solutions, more youths are being trained for security careers, and more policymakers are thinking of security as a whole-of-society project, then NPSC will have empowered the right people.
At the end of the day, my belief is simple: Security is everybody’s business. Government must lead, but citizens, communities and the private sector must co-own the solution. The National Private Security Conference is one of the platforms where that new social contract can begin.