Experts Highlight Security Collaboration to Boost Nigeria’s Economic Resilience at ASIS 15th Anniversary -

Security experts and industry stakeholders have called for deeper collaboration between Nigeria’s public and private security sectors, emphasising that the country’s economic resilience and ambition to achieve a ₦1 trillion economy depend on joint efforts to secure national assets and create an enabling environment for growth.

The call was made on Wednesday at a conference organised by ASIS International Abuja Chapter 273, themed “United in Resilience: Forging Public-Private Partnership to Protect Our National Assets.”

The event brought together key players from government agencies, the private industry, and other stakeholders to discuss the role of private security in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests.

Speakers at the event noted that the current security architecture cannot drive the level of economic transformation needed for Nigeria’s envisioned growth. They revealed that nearly 90 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is protected by these private operators, underscoring the critical role the sector plays in stabilising the economy.

“The issue of securing the country isn’t the job of the government alone. There must be collaboration instead of hostility between public and private security bodies to secure the instruments of power needed for economic progress.”

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Participants agreed that the private industry, which currently employs over one million Nigerians, has become indispensable in protecting infrastructure and ensuring business continuity across vital sectors such as energy, ICT, finance, agriculture, and government.

They also revealed that the industry has achieved a 32 percent growth despite operating with limited support, and that its potential value could grow to $20 billion by 2030 if harnessed through strategic partnerships and policy reforms.

“The potential of Nigeria’s security industry is enormous — estimated at over $100 billion if provided with the right opportunities and a supportive framework,” a keynote speaker, Kabir noted.

Panel Discussion On Security And National Asset

Panelists further discussed the definition and importance of national assets, describing them as the critical infrastructure that keeps the nation running. They stressed that failure to protect these assets could lead to widespread safety risks and economic disruptions.

“Protecting national assets is a huge task that has overwhelmed the government’s capacity alone,” a security expert said. “Only through a united front between public and private actors can we strengthen Nigeria’s resilience and secure its future.”

The conference concluded with a collective call for policy realignment and partnership-driven frameworks that encourage innovation, local production, and accountability within the security sector — positioning private security as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s journey toward sustainable peace and prosperity.