Angus Darroch-Warren

Name: Angus Darroch-Warren
Organisation: Linx International
Position: Senior Security Consultant

1) Due to perceived high levels of corruption in Nigeria, many investors are unsure about how to choose local partners or staff. How would you advise people to go about this?

As with doing business anywhere in the world, the key is to carry out extensive due diligence on prospective business partners prior to entering any agreements or ventures. Initial research can be carried out through UK and Nigerian Government agencies such as the BERR, the various chambers of commerce and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission. Conducting viable due diligence does require certain specialist skill sets and it may be beneficial to utilise private companies in order to undertake due diligence on your behalf and validate authenticity of companies and business partners.

2) How are religious tensions affecting security in Nigeria?

Historically religious tensions have seen the loss of many lives and the possibility of sectarian violence does exist, normally inflamed by specific incidents such as recently seen in Kano. These tend to be isolated events, normally adequately managed by the security forces; however, there is always the potential for such incidents to develop into serious rioting and civil unrest, which evidently have security implications.

3) Should foreign investors fear for their safety in Nigeria?

There is a strong perception, particularly in the UK, that Nigeria suffers from widespread criminality – this is not necessarily the case. The vast majority of visitors to the country have a safe and crime free experience despite the problems that do exist. I do not feel there is a reason to be ‘fearful’, however companies must make the necessary arrangements to ensure the safety of their staff.

4) How big is the risk to move goods around Nigeria and how can investors minimise this risk?

Risks range from inadequate infrastructure and administrative inefficiencies to excessive cargo handling times and corruption. There have also been incidents of cargo theft, piracy, truck highjackings, and robberies from warehouse/storage facilities. To mitigate the risk, traditional security measures need to be in place - personnel vetting, perimeter security, access controls, information security, route planning for cargo movements, and training of personnel on security awareness and incident management. From a supply chain perspective, vehicle capacities, road conditions, routes, warehousing and other storage facilities need to be reviewed on a regular basis from a security perspective.

5) Niger-Delta militants recently threatened to invade government buildings in the capital Abuja. Do you think the Niger-Delta crisis might spill over to the rest of the country?

It is possible that MEND and other groups may become increasingly daring and intensify their violence, possibly by extending operations outside their base in the Delta Region. Whether they have the infrastructure to do so is another question. The militants do not have sufficient personnel, armaments or political ability to achieve their demands by armed struggle alone. Just as in South Africa with the ANC, or in Northern Ireland with Sinn Fein, the Delta militant groups need to become accepted political entities if they are to achieve their long terms goals.

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