Feature/OPED
Slave Wages for Contract Private Security Guards in Nigeria
By Emmanuel Udom
Today, most contract security guards are earning slave wages, putting their lives in danger while ensuring the safety of other people, corporate bodies, government agencies, etc, 24/7.
It is noted that all over the world, security business is deadly, risky, slippery, dangerous and sophisticated.
Like in other business concerns, owners of registered and yet-to-be-registered private security companies are in for raw deals.
They are driven by profits, the laws of supply and demand and the desperate hustle for big, juicy contracts, our investigations have shown.
Private contract security companies hire all sorts of people, give them one or two weeks crash training courses and hire them out to man beats and locations, nationwide.
With unemployment figures hitting the roof in Nigeria, there are an estimated 5 million contract security guards in our country.
From our findings, these guards man 24-hour, 12-hour or 8-hour beats and locations nationwide, but most of them are paid from N10,000 to N30,000 on the average as salaries, monthly.
The list of some A-list private security companies operating in Nigeria are McDon Security, TechnoCrime Security Nigeria Ltd, KingsGuard, Damog Guards, Halogen Security, Eyespy Security Service Limited, Ashaka Security Company, and Proton Security Company Limited.
Others are Transworld, Mega Guards, G4S, Zoomlens, Evergreen, Kind David and Sherperdhill. Some of these companies have national and international spread and operations.
The late Dr Patrick Keku, managing director of Pahek Security Services; Dr Davidson Akhimien, managing director of King David Security Limited; Dr Ona Ekhomu, managing director of Transworld Security; and Richard Amuwa, managing director of Mega Guards Security; are some of the private experts Nigeria is blessed with.
Encounters
Today, Sunday Afolabi is a private security guard contracted by one of the A-list private security companies in Lagos to guard an eatery (names withheld), located in Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
Afolabi, an HND holder from Auchi Polythenic in Delta State, confessed that he roamed the streets of Lagos, wrote series of application letters in search of job, after his graduation five years ago, but was not hired by any company.
“I read marketing and was forced through frustrations to accept to guard an eatery as a contract security guard, earning N20,000 every month,” he claimed.
The poly graduate, married with three children and living in face-me-I-face-you apartment somewhere in Ilupeju, Lagos, has been on a 12-hour beat at the eatery for six months, earning slave wages as salary without insurance policy in place for him.
Miss Patience Okon, an indigene of Akpabuyo in Cross River State is a WAEC holder. She earns N15,000 monthly contracted to guard a motor company, located along Lagos-Apapa expressway.
Okon is lucky as she is residing with her parents around Okota area in Lagos. She is not paying house rent and presently has nobody to feed, our under-cover investigations reveals.
Entry Qualifications
Findings showed that for anybody to be hired as a contract private security guard, the person must know how to read and write.
At King David Security Academy, located at Shogunle in Ikeja, Lagos, Mr Alex, the Training Officer, told applicants undergoing a one-week training recently that anyone could be hired as a private security guard, provided the person can read and write.
According to him, “the academy, a training arm of Kind David Security Limited, Lagos, teaches people how to write take over and handover reports as well as situation or observation reports, when hired daily”.
But Richard Amuwa, Managing Director, Mega Guards Security Limited, Abule Egba, Lagos said private security guard business, has evolved over the years from the mai-guard opening and closing gates to technological driven security deliveries.
It is therefore a welcome development to note that today, there are graduates of tertiary institutions trained and hired as contract private security guards all over the country.
The late Chairman/CEO of Phahek Security Company, Lagos, Dr Patrick Keku, once said that there are about 5 million private security guards in Nigeria, assisting government at various levels to tackle criminalities from all fronts.
Training
Security Operational Procedure (SOP) is the global handout for the training of private security guards to protect the lives and properties of individuals, corporate bodies, groups, states, or nations, etc, from threats and risks of all kind.
However, our investigative journalist, who joined the training class for two weeks of a private security company in Lagos, observed that SOP dwelled on definition of security, access control, dog management, gates management, sanctions, rewards, liabilities, terms and conditions for private security officers, neatness and punctuality, among others for intending private security guards.
Documentations
After the training, an employment form which contain: personal-bio-data-form, containing two forms to be filled by his or her guarantors is issued with the instruction to fill and return the form with his or her CV, six passport photographs, a formal application letter, and photocopies of the person’s credentials and certificates.
Terms and Conditions of Service
Gbenga Komolafe, General-Secretary of the Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON), is running a corporative society for workers in the informal sectors of our economy.
Komolafe, an activist said private security guards should key into his scheme to save their future from doom, through saving a portion of their income, daily, weekly or monthly as the case may be.
There are no retirement benefits or gratuity for most contract private security guards in Nigeria, he said.
But Amuwa said contract ratio is always: 70: 30, meaning for every contract, the guard gets 70 per cent, while the contracting security company gets 30 per cent.
As some private contract security guards said in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Bornu, some private security company owners may not be telling the truth, as they alleged that the reverse seems to be the case.
When you are hired by a private security company, you will be issued with fanciful uniforms, booths, caps, and other items and the cost will be deducted from your salary from the very month you start work, some guards lamented, he said.
Regulations
It is noted that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), supervised by the Ministry of Interior, regulates the operation, training and other activities of registered private security companies operating in Nigeria.
But the NSCDC and the interior ministry seem to be helpless when it comes to regulating the slave wages code-name monthly salaries that are paid to guards.
Seun Abolurin, Lagos NSCDC spokesman, said the corps only regulates private security companies, not payments to their officers.
Investigations
Finings revealed that at locations, the commander and chief security officer, reeled out the rules-coming to work before 6.30 am, indecent dressing, refusal to polish his booth, failure in identifications and documentations, sleeping, or eating while on duty, etc, attracts debits at the end of the month. Meaning, the meagre salaries of the officers were being threatened.
It was also noted that if a pin is stolen while on duty, the entire security team could be the first in the line of suspects and police could be called in for arrest, investigations and the matter charged to court in preparation for prison.
However, the angle that broke the Carmel’s back was when this writer was told point-blank that despite his ‘intimidating qualifications’ and considering the fact that the basic qualification for private security officer is the ability to read and write, N22,000 was to be paid as his monthly salary.
A private security company could quote N50,000 per guide to their clients, the guide assigned to the location ought to be paid N35,000.
Most of the private security officers, who spoke off records with this writer in the last one month, insisted that very few officers are earning this much, except supervisors, patrol officers and chief security officers or those hired directly by individuals, corporate bodies, or multi-national companies, without going through private security companies.
Udom, a journalist, teacher and private investigator could be reached via: [email protected]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are purely of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the position of Business Post Nigeria on the subject matter.
By Luke Kyohere
The global payments landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation. New technologies coupled with the rising demand for seamless, secure, and efficient transactions has spurred on an exciting new era of innovation and growth. With 2025 fast approaching, here are important trends that will shape the future of payments:
1. The rise of real-time payments
Until recently, real-time payments have been used in Africa for cross-border mobile money payments, but less so for traditional payments. We are seeing companies like Mastercard investing in this area, as well as central banks in Africa putting focus on this.
2. Cashless payments will increase
In 2025, we will see the continued acceleration of cashless payments across Africa. B2B payments in particular will also increase. Digital payments began between individuals but are now becoming commonplace for larger corporate transactions.
3. Digital currency will hit mainstream
In the cryptocurrency space, we will see an increase in the use of stablecoins like United States Digital Currency (USDC) and Tether (USDT) which are linked to US dollars. These will come to replace traditional cryptocurrencies as their price point is more stable. This year, many countries will begin preparing for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), government-backed digital currencies which use blockchain.
The increased uptake of digital currencies reflects the maturity of distributed ledger technology and improved API availability.
4. Increased government oversight
As adoption of digital currencies will increase, governments will also put more focus into monitoring these flows. In particular, this will centre on companies and banks rather than individuals. The goal of this will be to control and occasionally curb runaway foreign exchange (FX) rates.
5. Business leaders buy into AI technology
In 2025, we will see many business leaders buying into AI through respected providers relying on well-researched platforms and huge data sets. Most companies don’t have the budget to invest in their own research and development in AI, so many are now opting to ‘buy’ into the technology rather than ‘build’ it themselves. Moreover, many businesses are concerned about the risks associated with data ownership and accuracy so buying software is another way to avoid this risk.
6. Continued AI Adoption in Payments
In payments, the proliferation of AI will continue to improve user experience and increase security. To detect fraud, AI is used to track patterns and payment flows in real-time. If unusual activity is detected, the technology can be used to flag or even block payments which may be fraudulent.
When it comes to user experience, we will also see AI being used to improve the interface design of payment platforms. The technology will also increasingly be used for translation for international payment platforms.
7. Rise of Super Apps
To get more from their platforms, mobile network operators are building comprehensive service platforms, integrating multiple payment experiences into a single app. This reflects the shift of many users moving from text-based services to mobile apps. Rather than offering a single service, super apps are packing many other services into a single app. For example, apps which may have previously been used primarily for lending, now have options for saving and paying bills.
8. Business strategy shift
Recent major technological changes will force business leaders to focus on much shorter prediction and reaction cycles. Because the rate of change has been unprecedented in the past year, this will force decision-makers to adapt quickly, be decisive and nimble.
As the payments space evolves, businesses, banks, and governments must continually embrace innovation, collaboration, and prioritise customer needs. These efforts build a more inclusive, secure, and efficient payment system that supports local to global economic growth – enabling true financial inclusion across borders.
Luke Kyohere is the Group Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Onafriq
In a heartfelt statement released today, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has extended its warmest congratulations to Ghana’s President-Elect, emphasizing the importance of learning from Ghana’s recent electoral success as Nigeria gears up for its 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP highlighted the need for Nigeria to reclaim its status as a leader in democratic governance in Africa.
“The recent victory of Ghana’s President-Elect is a testament to the maturity and resilience of Ghana’s democracy,” the CNPP stated. “As we celebrate this achievement, we must reflect on the lessons that Nigeria can learn from our West African neighbour.”
The CNPP’s message underscored the significance of free, fair, and credible elections, a standard that Ghana has set and one that Nigeria has previously achieved under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. “It is high time for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a beacon of democracy in Africa,” the CNPP asserted, calling for a renewed commitment to the electoral process.
Central to CNPP’s message is the insistence that “the will of the people must be supreme in Nigeria’s electoral processes.” The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria CNPP emphasized the necessity of an electoral system that genuinely reflects the wishes of the Nigerian populace. “We must strive to create an environment where elections are free from manipulation, violence, and intimidation,” the CNPP urged, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take decisive action to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The CNPP also expressed concern over premature declarations regarding the 2027 elections, stating, “It is disheartening to note that some individuals are already announcing that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027. This kind of statement not only undermines the democratic principles that our nation holds dear but also distracts from the pressing need for the current administration to earn the trust of the electorate.”
The CNPP viewed the upcoming elections as a pivotal moment for Nigeria. “The 2027 general elections present a unique opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a leader in democratic governance in Africa,” it remarked. The body called on all stakeholders — including the executive, legislature, judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organisations — to collaborate in ensuring that elections are transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.
As the most populous African country prepares for the 2027 elections, the CNPP urged all Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to democratic principles. “We must work together to ensure that our elections are free from violence, intimidation, and manipulation,” the statement stated, reaffirming the CNPP’s commitment to promoting a peaceful and credible electoral process.
In conclusion, the CNPP congratulated the President-Elect of Ghana and the Ghanaian people on their remarkable achievements.
“We look forward to learning from their experience and working together to strengthen democracy in our region,” the CNPP concluded.
By Kenechukwu Aguolu
The proposed tax reform, involving four tax bills introduced by the Federal Government, has received significant criticism. Notably, it was rejected by the Governors’ Forum but was still forwarded to the National Assembly. Unlike the various bold economic decisions made by this government, concessions will likely need to be made on these tax reforms, which involve legislative amendments and therefore cannot be imposed by the executive. This article highlights the purposes of taxation, the qualities of a good tax system, and some of the implications of the proposed tax reforms.
One of the major purposes of taxation is to generate revenue for the government to finance its activities. A good tax system should raise sufficient revenue for the government to fund its operations, and support economic and infrastructural development. For any country to achieve meaningful progress, its tax-to-GDP ratio should be at least 15%. Currently, Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio is less than 11%. The proposed tax reforms aim to increase this ratio to 18% within the next three years.
A good tax system should also promote income redistribution and equality by implementing progressive tax policies. In line with this, the proposed tax reforms favour low-income earners. For example, individuals earning less than one million naira annually are exempted from personal income tax. Additionally, essential goods and services such as food, accommodation, and transportation, which constitute a significant portion of household consumption for low- and middle-income groups, are to be exempted from VAT.
In addition to equality, a good tax system should ensure equity and fairness, a key area of contention surrounding the proposed reforms. If implemented, the amendments to the Value Added Tax could lead to a significant reduction in the federal allocation for some states; impairing their ability to finance government operations and development projects. The VAT amendments should be holistically revisited to promote fairness and national unity.
The establishment of a single agency to collect government taxes, the Nigeria Revenue Service, could reduce loopholes that have previously resulted in revenue losses, provided proper controls are put in place. It is logically easier to monitor revenue collection by one agency than by multiple agencies. However, this is not a magical solution. With automation, revenue collection can be seamless whether it is managed by one agency or several, as long as monitoring and accountability measures are implemented effectively.
The proposed tax reforms by the Federal Government are well-intentioned. However, all concerns raised by Nigerians should be looked into, and concessions should be made where necessary. Policies are more effective when they are adapted to suit the unique characteristics of a nation, rather than adopted wholesale. A good tax system should aim to raise sufficient revenue, ensure equitable income distribution, and promote equality, equity, and fairness.
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