Executive Protection Around the World: Nigeria

In the second edition of our breakthrough series, EP Wired is taking a closer look at executive protection in Nigeria. We have interviewed three industry professionals and asked them to share their experiences working in the country. Here’s what they had to say.

What is executive protection in Nigeria like, and what are the particular challenges?

Executive protection in Nigeria is still in its early stages. The industry is largely populated by untrained agents, and even those who have received training often lack global standard procedures. Despite this, the future of executive protection in Nigeria looks promising.

Many clients who hire the untrained agents are middle-class individuals who either cannot afford or do not prioritize standard procedures. They prefer protection services that are willing to cut corners. This category of clientele often dictates the processes and protocols, resisting adherence to standard operating procedures, which ultimately exposes the principal, their family, and their businesses to risks.

The challenges facing executive protection in Nigeria include:

1. Training agents to meet global standards.
2. Establishing a regulatory body to monitor and ensure quality control.
3. Enhancing agents’ knowledge of the necessary equipment.
4. Addressing the lack of equipment that boosts efficiency and effectiveness.
5. Improving the attention to detail and adherence to standard procedures among agents.
6. Distinguishing between volunteer protocol officers in religious settings and professional executive protection agents.
7. Encouraging agents to work within established companies rather than seeking to start their own.
8. Building the courage to brief, inform, and enlighten their principals.
9. Overcoming the survival mentality that leads agents to compromise their integrity.
10. Implementing periodic and scheduled retraining and fostering networking with colleagues outside Nigeria and Africa. –  Ademola Adetuberu

What are the unexpected benefits of executive protection in your country?

The obvious role is to keep the principal safe, but there are other benefits people don’t always notice. For example, we act as an early warning system, picking up tension in the environment before it becomes a real problem.

We also make movement smoother, with professional detail, and you avoid unnecessary delays at checkpoints or airports. Another thing is the peace of mind it gives the principal. They can focus on their work and engagements instead of worrying about security. Sometimes we even serve as a bridge with local communities, helping to reduce tension before it escalates. – Elisha Balami

How does operating in your country differ from working anywhere else?     

‎Operating as an Executive Protection Officer in Nigeria is unique because the environment presents challenges that go beyond textbook security operations. Unlike in many developed countries, where EPOs can rely on advanced equipment, standardized training, and strong institutional support, in Nigeria, we often face limitations in resources. Many practitioners lack access to modern protective gear and continuous professional development, which can create gaps in efficiency. 

Additionally, principals sometimes fail to adhere to basic safety protocols, making the work more complex. The terrain itself poses risks, poor road infrastructure, unpredictable traffic, and limited emergency response systems, which mean an EPO must be exceptionally adaptive, resourceful, and proactive in safeguarding clients. – Charles Aondohemba Anooko

What kind of training or certification do you need to work in your country?

To work here officially, you need to be under a licensed private security company that’s registered with the Civil Defence Corps. That’s the legal part. On the skills side, international training is highly respected — things like ATLAS Strategy Ltd International Close Protection Course, Israeli programs, or NATO-approved courses. 

But Nigeria requires more than just the certificate. You need practical skills: evasive driving, trauma care, surveillance detection, and, of course, an understanding of the local terrain. Firearms training helps, though in practice, the armed side is usually handled by police or military escorts. The key is combining international best practice with local realities. – Elisha Balami

How do cultural or political factors influence the security landscape in your region? 

‎Nigeria’s security landscape is deeply shaped by cultural diversity and political realities. With over 250 ethnic groups, cultural sensitivities often determine how an EPO navigates interactions with local communities and security agencies. Respect for traditions and local customs can be the difference between a smooth passage and confrontation.

Politically, frequent instability, protests, and clashes, whether over elections, policy, or social issues, create an environment where threat levels can shift overnight. Security personnel must be attuned not only to criminal risks but also to political undercurrents that may escalate into unrest. This makes intelligence gathering and strong local networks essential tools for survival and success in executive protection work here. – Charles Aondohemba Anooko

What are the most common types of threats or security concerns your clients face in Nigeria?

In Nigeria, the most common types of threats and security concerns our clients face include:

1. Kidnapping: This is one of the most prevalent threats, especially targeting high-profile individuals, expatriates, and wealthy locals.
2. Armed Robbery: Clients are often at risk of armed attacks, particularly in urban areas and during travel.
3. Terrorism: Certain regions in Nigeria face threats from terrorist groups, which pose a significant risk to both local and foreign clients.
4. Political Unrest: Political instability and unrest can lead to violent protests and clashes, endangering clients.
5. Insider Threats: Employees or close associates may pose risks through betrayal, sabotage, or leaking sensitive information.
6. Cyber Threats: Clients face risks from cyber-attacks, including hacking, data breaches, and phishing attempts.
7. Fraud and Scams: Financial fraud and scams are common, with criminals targeting clients for monetary gain.
8. Carjacking: This is a significant threat, especially in certain high-risk areas where criminals target vehicles.
9. Home Invasions: Clients’ residences can be targets for burglars and criminals looking for valuable possessions or to kidnap individuals.
10. Surveillance and Stalking: High-profile clients often face risks from individuals or groups conducting unauthorized surveillance or stalking.
11. These threats necessitate comprehensive security measures, including personal protection, secure transportation, intelligence gathering, and rigorous risk assessments. – Ademola Adetuberu

What are the unique tools and tech you carry to help you work in your country?

The environment shapes the tools. Comms are big; you can’t rely on one network, so you carry multiple SIM cards and encrypted radios. Navigation often means offline GPS, because the internet can fail you mid-route. Trauma kits are essential because emergency response isn’t always fast. 

We also use vehicle trackers, discreet armor, and counter-surveillance tools. For convoys, things like run-flat tires or jammers can be useful. But equally important is staying low profile using earpieces, clothing, and gear that blend in, so you protect without drawing unnecessary attention. – Elisha Balami

‎What are some emerging trends or challenges in the field of private security and personal protection in your country?

‎One emerging challenge is the sophistication of threats. Kidnapping for ransom, insider collusion, and cyber-linked attacks against high-profile individuals are becoming increasingly common. Unfortunately, the EPO profession still struggles with structural weaknesses: a lack of adequate training programs tailored to Nigeria’s realities, insufficient access to advanced protective technology, and weak regulatory oversight. 

Another peculiar challenge is the attitude of some principals, who often resist basic safety measures like route variation or low-profile movement, thereby exposing themselves and their teams to unnecessary risks. At the same time, private security is gaining more recognition as law enforcement agencies remain overstretched. This creates opportunities, but only if the industry prioritizes professionalization, standardized training, and stronger adherence to global best practices. – Charles Aondohemba Anooko

Can you share a memorable experience or case where your skills as a bodyguard were put to the test in Nigeria?

I’ve had many challenging experiences, but one that stands out involved our foreign clients visiting Nigeria. They planned to travel to Kaduna State to inspect schools their NGO had built for the community. Initially, they proposed taking the train due to the high risk of kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna Road. We conducted a security briefing, outlining the dangers of both the road and the train. We advised that traveling by road was a safer option, as we could better handle any potential ambushes or confrontations there. 

Despite their initial preference for the train, they eventually accepted our professional recommendation to travel by road. During the journey, I was extremely vigilant, scrutinizing every movement, vehicle, and person we encountered. My attention to detail paid off when we detected what seemed to be a planned attack. However, our show of force deterred the attackers, allowing us to pass safely. 

Upon returning to Abuja, our clients and principal expressed profound gratitude for our professionalism. Shortly after, the train on that route was ambushed, and many passengers were abducted. The clients called again to express their thanks for steering them away from what could have been a disastrous situation.  – Ademola Adetuberu

For their participation in the series, EP Wired would like to thank Ademola Adetuberu, Charles Aondohemba Anooko, and Elisha Balami.