The Security Skills Development Company has warned that rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections could negatively affect business operations, investment decisions, and national stability if adequate preventive measures are not put in place.
The security training and consulting firm made this known in a statement made available to The by its Head of Media and Research, Olufemi Omotayo, on Tuesday.
Omotayo noted that the organisation’s 2026 Security Outlook Report identified key threats expected to shape Nigeria’s business environment as the country approaches the next election cycle.
According to him, findings from a nationwide survey and expert contributions at the recently concluded Security Thought Leadership Roundtable identified internal security threats, protection of national assets, cyber risks, and election-related tensions as the four major risk areas confronting organisations and institutions.
Omotayo noted that concerns over the 2027 elections featured prominently among respondents, many of whom expressed fears that heightened political activities and associated tensions could disrupt business activities and weaken investor confidence.
The statement read, “The ‘2027 Election Shadow’ remains a dominant concern, with many participants pointing to the likelihood of increased tension in the lead-up to the election and the potential impact on business operations and investment decisions.”
It further noted that internal threats within organisations were becoming increasingly significant, with respondents calling for stronger governance structures, workforce integrity measures, and effective risk management systems.
According to Omotayo, vulnerabilities in critical public infrastructure also pose serious risks to economic stability and public confidence, prompting calls for stronger government action against sabotage and other threats to national assets.
Omotayo continued, “Cybercrime continues to pose significant challenges to businesses and critical government infrastructure, stressing the need for proactive monitoring and technology-driven security safeguards.”
Speaking on the findings, the Managing Director of SSDC, Mike Igbodipe, urged organisations to adopt a more strategic and proactive approach to security management.
He said businesses must move beyond reactive responses to threats and incorporate security considerations into their long-term decision-making processes.
“Organisations must move beyond reactive measures and begin to integrate security into strategic decision-making processes,” Igbodipe was quoted as saying.
He also emphasised the need for the development of a gold-standard local certification programme for security professionals tailored to Nigeria’s unique security environment.
The company said it would continue to engage stakeholders across various sectors through research, training, and strategic advisory services designed to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms against evolving security threats.