The legal basis
Private security guard services in Nigeria operate under the Private Guard Companies Act. Companies must be incorporated in Nigeria, licensed by the Federal Ministry of Interior, and are supervised by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
What licensing covers
A licensed private guard company is authorised to provide unarmed guarding, patrol and related protective services. Licensing brings obligations: guards must be vetted and trained, the company must keep proper records, and it is subject to inspection. Private guard companies in Nigeria do not bear arms; where armed support is required it is provided in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force.
Why the category matters
Licences are graded, and the grade reflects the scale and track record the regulator is prepared to endorse. A higher category is a signal that the company has the structure, personnel and history to operate nationally rather than as a single-site operator.
What to ask for
Ask for the licence number and expiry, confirm the company name on the licence matches the entity you are contracting with, and ask how they coordinate with the Police for rapid response. A company that is comfortable with these questions is a company that takes compliance seriously.
Sarf Guards Limited
Sarf Guards Limited was incorporated in Nigeria on 5 November 2012 and is a Category ‘A’ licensed Private Guard Company approved by the Federal Ministry of Interior, with a formal collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force for rapid response to major security breaches.