As of 2026, the best security companies in Lagos include Sheriff Deputies Limited, First Event Security Limited, and Maximus Event Security Company.
These three keep coming up because of consistently strong customer ratings and a solid track record across residential, corporate, and event security.
Lagos has one of the busiest private security markets in Nigeria, and guard companies are spread all over Surulere, Yaba, Gbagada, Somolu, Festac, Anthony.
They cover everything from gated estates to office buildings to one-off events. If you’ve never hired one before, it can feel a bit overwhelming to know who’s actually good and who’s just good at marketing.
That’s really what this comes down to. There are several reviews you need to check; how fast a company responds when you reach out, whether they’re properly licensed, and how they actually show up once guards are on the ground. Flashy websites don’t guard your gate. People do.
This article walks through ten established security firms in Lagos, based on real business listings, customer ratings, and what each one specialises in.
Pricing mentioned below is for reference only, since your actual rate will depend on how many guards you need, your shift pattern, and how long the contract runs.
Quick Comparison Table of the Best Security Companies in Lagos
| Rank | Name | Location/Address | Rating | Price Range ₦ (reference only) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheriff Deputies Limited | 49 Ayodele Okeowo St, Soluyi, Gbagada | 4.5★ (103) | ₦80,000–₦180,000/guard/month | Grade A NSCDC license, high review volume |
| 2 | First Event Security Limited | 94 Lewis St, Lafiaji | 5.0★ (27) | ₦70,000–₦160,000/guard/month | Perfect rating, 24-hour availability |
| 3 | Maximus Event Security Company | 8 Shobande St, Somolu | 4.9★ (13) | ₦75,000–₦170,000/guard/month | Event security, 24-hour service |
| 4 | SARF Guards Limited (SGL) | 77 Itire St, Surulere | 4.8★ (12) | ₦70,000–₦150,000/guard/month | Women-owned, highly rated |
| 5 | McDon Security Ltd | 18 Bola St, Anthony | 4.5★ (17) | ₦75,000–₦160,000/guard/month | Consistent service quality |
| 6 | Royalsec Services Company Ltd | 6 Omoshalewa Cl, Yaba | 4.4★ (26) | ₦70,000–₦150,000/guard/month | Corporate and residential guarding |
| 7 | Ashaka Security Company (ASCO) | 39A Festac Link Rd, Amuwo-Odofin | 4.2★ (54) | ₦80,000–₦180,000/guard/month | Founded 1965, long-standing presence |
| 8 | Santana Security Agency Limited | 13 Odejayi Cres, Surulere | 4.2★ (32) | ₦70,000–₦150,000/guard/month | Established local footprint |
| 9 | Shepherdhill Security Limited | Plot 175 Gbagada Expy, Gbagada | 4.1★ (19) | ₦65,000–₦140,000/guard/month | 24-hour operations |
| 10 | Dynamic Cherish Security Company Ltd | 107 Igi Olugbin St, Pedro | 4.1★ (12) | ₦65,000–₦140,000/guard/month | Budget-friendly guarding |
Quick note on the price column: these numbers are general market estimates, not figures pulled from each company’s actual price list.
None of these firms publish rates online, so treat this as a starting point for conversation, not a quote. Always ask each company directly.
Most Reliable Security Companies in Lagos
1. Sheriff Deputies Limited
Sheriff Deputies Limited, based in Soluyi, Gbagada, is the name that shows up again and again once you start digging into Lagos security options. It holds a 4.5-star rating from 103 reviews, by far the biggest review count on this list.
That’s not a small thing. A company doesn’t rack up that many reviews by accident; it usually means a lot of people have actually used them, over a long stretch of time.
There’s more behind the reviews too. Sheriff Deputies holds a Grade A national license from the NSCDC and is ISO 9001 certified, and the company’s roots go back to 1993.
Industry reports also mention command centres in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, plus contracts with universities, so this isn’t a small, single-site operation.
Why we recommend it: If you want a company that’s been tested at scale and comes with real paperwork to back up the reputation, this is a safe first call.
2. First Event Security Limited
Located in Lafiaji, First Event Security Limited has something rare, a perfect 5.0-star rating across 27 reviews.
Yes, the review count is smaller than Sheriff Deputies, but a flawless score at that volume still says something. Most companies in this space sit somewhere around 4.0 to 4.5, so a clean sweep stands out.
They run 24 hours a day, which matters if you need guards who won’t leave a gap between shifts. And going by the name, event security looks like a core part of what they do, alongside regular guarding work.
Why we recommend it: If you care most about spotless customer feedback and round-the-clock coverage, this one’s hard to beat.
3. Maximus Event Security Company
Maximus Event Security Company, out of Somolu, has a 4.9-star rating from 13 reviews and, like First Event Security, operates 24 hours.
The “event security” part of the name suggests they’re built for short, high-pressure jobs like weddings, corporate functions, and concerts, though they likely also cover the usual residential and commercial guarding.
Worth keeping in mind: 13 reviews is a smaller sample than some of the bigger names here, so if you’re considering them for a large or long-term contract, it’s worth asking for recent client references directly.
Why we recommend it: A near-perfect rating plus 24-hour readiness makes them a solid pick if you need guards fast, or specifically for an event.
4. SARF Guards Limited (SGL)
SARF Guards Limited, based in Surulere, stands out for two reasons. First, a strong 4.8-star rating from 12 reviews.
Second, it’s listed as a women-owned business, a detail shown right on their business profile, which could matter if your organisation cares about who it’s giving business to.
Being a smaller-review-count company, SARF Guards likely runs leaner than the bigger players.
That can be a good thing (more personal attention, faster communication), but it may mean less capacity if you need guards across many sites at once.
Why we recommend it: A strong rating and a distinct ownership story make this worth a closer look, especially if supplier diversity matters to you.
5. McDon Security Ltd
McDon Security Ltd, on Bola Street in Anthony, holds a 4.5-star rating from 17 reviews, the same average as Sheriff Deputies, just with fewer reviews behind it.
They run their own website and a landline number, which usually points to a company that’s set up properly rather than operating informally.
Being based in Anthony is a plus if you’re around Ikeja or Maryland, since it’s right in that part of the Mainland.
Why we recommend it: A dependable, well-rounded choice if you want a company that feels formally run without being enormous.
6. Royalsec Services Company Ltd
Based in Yaba, Royalsec Services Company Ltd has a 4.4-star rating from 26 reviews.
One thing to note: their listing shows standard weekday hours rather than 24-hour service, so if you specifically need overnight coverage, ask about that upfront.
They keep an active website and a dedicated mobile line, both signs of a business that wants to hear from you directly rather than relying only on word of mouth.
Why we recommend it: A solid, review-backed option if you’re around Yaba or the wider Mainland.
7. Ashaka Security Company (ASCO)
Ashaka Security Company, known around town as ASCO, is based in Amuwo-Odofin near Festac and holds a 4.2-star rating from 54 reviews, second only to Sheriff Deputies in review count.
That number alone tells you this is a company that’s been doing this a long time.
And it really has. ASCO was founded in 1965, making it one of the oldest security firms in Nigeria. It reportedly started out guarding Nigerian Breweries in Iganmu before growing into a much bigger operation.
The slightly lower average rating compared to its review count isn’t unusual for older, larger companies. The more clients you’ve had over the decades, the more varied the feedback tends to be.
Why we recommend it: A long track record and a large, established client base make this a credible pick if you’re anywhere near Festac or Amuwo-Odofin.
8. Santana Security Agency Limited
Santana Security Agency Limited, in Surulere, holds a 4.2-star rating from 32 reviews.
Like Ashaka, it’s got a fairly high review count paired with a solid, though not flawless, rating, which usually points to a company that’s been around long enough to build a real client base without being a perfect match for everyone.
Its Surulere location puts it close to SARF Guards too, so if you’re in that area, it’s worth comparing both.
Why we recommend it: A dependable, well-reviewed choice if you’re specifically looking around Surulere or the Mainland.
9. Shepherdhill Security Limited
Shepherdhill Security Limited, on the Gbagada Expressway, has a 4.1-star rating from 19 reviews and runs 24 hours.
The rating sits at the lower end of this list, but it’s still within a perfectly reasonable range for the industry.
The round-the-clock setup is handy if you don’t want to juggle separate day and night contracts.
Why we recommend it: A reasonable, budget-friendly option in the Gbagada area, especially if 24-hour coverage matters more to you than a top-tier rating.
10. Dynamic Cherish Security Company Ltd
Dynamic Cherish Security Company Ltd, based in Pedro, rounds out the list with a 4.1-star rating from 12 reviews.
With the smallest review count on this list, they’re likely a smaller or newer operation compared to giants like Sheriff Deputies or Ashaka.
They do run their own website, which shows a level of formal structure even at a smaller scale.
Why we recommend it: Worth a look if you need guards for a smaller job or a single site, where a leaner company might give you more direct, hands-on attention.
How to Choose the Right Security Company in Lagos
Picking a security company shouldn’t just come down to star ratings. Here are five things worth checking before you sign anything:
- Check the NSCDC license. Every legal security company in Nigeria needs a license from the Ministry of Interior, issued through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), under the Private Guard Companies Act (Cap P30, LFN 2004). Licenses come in categories like Grade A or B and need renewing every two years. Don’t be shy about asking to see it.
- Look for association membership. Being part of a body like the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) isn’t mandatory, but it’s a good extra sign that a company takes the industry seriously.
- Look past the star rating to the review count. A 4.2-star company with 50+ reviews and a 5.0-star company with 12 reviews are telling you different things. Neither is automatically wrong, just understand what you’re looking at.
- Pay attention to how fast they respond. If getting a reply before you’ve even signed anything takes days, that’s usually a preview of how issues get handled once guards are actually deployed.
- Insist on a written contract. If a company won’t put shift schedules, guard numbers, replacement policy, and payment terms in writing, that’s a problem, not a detail to overlook.
Common Red Flags in the Lagos Security Services Market
- No verifiable physical address
- Guards showing up without visible uniforms or ID
- Demanding cash upfront with no invoice
- Refusing to give you any client references
Good Practice to Look For
- A signed service-level agreement (SLA) that spells out how fast they’ll replace a guard if needed
- A company willing to start with a trial or short-term contract before asking for a long-term commitment
- A team that shows up on time, communicates clearly, and treats the job like it matters, not just a paycheck
Average Security Companies Market Price Range in Lagos
Guard pricing in Lagos moves around a lot, depending on location, how experienced the guard is, whether it’s a 12-hour or 24-hour shift, and whether you need armed escorts.
Worth noting: licensed private guards in Nigeria generally aren’t allowed to carry firearms, so that’s a separate conversation entirely.
It is also important to know that there is a difference between what a guard actually takes home, and what a company charges you as the client.
Some industry reporting has flagged base guard pay as low as ₦10,000–₦30,000 a month in certain contract arrangements, while formal salary surveys for Lagos show much higher figures once benefits are added in.
What you pay as a client sits on top of that, since it covers the company’s overheads, supervision, uniforms, and their margin.
| Service Type | Typical Monthly Range (₦, per guard) |
|---|---|
| Residential/estate guard | ₦65,000 – ₦120,000 |
| Corporate/commercial guard | ₦80,000 – ₦180,000 |
| Event security (per event) | ₦15,000 – ₦40,000/guard/day |
| 24-hour dedicated coverage | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
These numbers reflect general patterns across the Lagos market, not quotes from any specific company on this list. Always get things in writing before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Security Companies in Lagos
Are private security companies in Lagos actually licensed?
Yes, as they’re supposed to be.
Under the Private Guard Companies Act (Cap P30, LFN 2004), no company can legally offer guarding or protection services in Nigeria without a license from the Minister of Interior, issued through the NSCDC.
Licenses are graded (A or B, depending on size) and need renewing every two years. If a company can’t show you this, that’s a red flag.
Can Lagos security guards carry guns?
Generally, no. Licensed private guard companies are currently not allowed to carry firearms while on duty. Armed protection is handled separately by the police or other statutory bodies.
That said, this is being debated right now. In 2025, the Minister of Interior publicly called the existing 1986 law outdated and floated the idea of letting vetted private firms carry weapons under tighter oversight.
So this could change in the next year or two.
How much should I expect to pay for a security guard in Lagos?
| Service Type | Typical Monthly Range (₦, per guard) |
|---|---|
| Residential/estate guard | ₦65,000 – ₦120,000 |
| Corporate/commercial guard | ₦80,000 – ₦180,000 |
| Event security (per event) | ₦15,000 – ₦40,000/guard/day |
| 24-hour dedicated coverage | ₦150,000 – ₦250,000 |
Which Lagos security company has the most reviews?
Sheriff Deputies Limited. With 103 reviews and a 4.5-star average.
It’s also one of the more established names in the industry more broadly, with a Grade A NSCDC license and roots going back to the early 1990s.
Do any of these companies offer 24-hour coverage?
Yes. First Event Security Limited, Maximus Event Security Company, and Shepherdhill Security Limited all list 24-hour operations.
That means you can get continuous coverage without having to arrange separate day and night contracts.
Wrapping Up on the Best Security Companies in Lagos
If you’re short on time, Sheriff Deputies Limited, First Event Security Limited, and Maximus Event Security Company are the three names that come out strongest in this comparison.
But “best” really depends on what you actually need. A company that can handle multiple sites, one built for a single event, or a smaller outfit that’ll give you more personal attention.
Don’t let the star rating be the only thing you look at. Check how many reviews are behind it, ask to see the NSCDC license, and get everything in writing before you commit to anything.
A company like Ashaka Security, with a slightly lower rating but decades of history and dozens of reviews, can sometimes be the safer bet over a newer company with a perfect score and barely a handful of reviews.
At the end of the day, Lagos has enough solid, properly licensed security companies that you don’t need to rush this decision. Take the extra day to check credentials and ask questions. It’s worth it.
Best Logistics Company in Ibadan [2026/2027 Update]
Best Event Center in Lagos: 2026/2027 Ranking
Best Event Center in Abuja: 2026/2027 Guide
Best Fashion Designers in Ibadan 2026 [Updated]
Best Hotels in Ibadan 2026 (Updated Guide)
Top 10 Cleaning Companies in Abuja 2026: Expert Guide
Best Real Estate Companies in Lagos (2026)
Top 10 Furniture Stores in Ibadan 2026
Maestro is a content writer and digital professional with expertise in SEO writing, AI, technology, business, and lifestyle topics. Passionate about creating well-researched, engaging, and reader-friendly content, he is committed to delivering practical insights that inform, educate, and help readers make better decisions.