When you are the head of a nation, your personal safety is a matter of national security. While the exact details of presidential security protocols are closely guarded state secrets, defense analysts and military observers gauge the protection levels of world leaders by looking at security budgets, the size of elite presidential guard units, and the technology deployed.
​Unsurprisingly, the nations that dominate the global top 10 are superpowers, highly militarized states, or nations with uniquely complex geopolitical standings.
​Here are the top 10 most protected leaders in the world today:
1. Vladimir Putin (Russia)
The Russian President is widely considered the most protected leader on earth. His security is managed by the Federal Protective Service (FSO), a sprawling agency that operates with immense resources and extreme secrecy. The FSO commands tens of thousands of personnel, utilizing heavily armed tactical units, advanced cyber-protection, and specialized protocols that govern everything his airspace to his meals.
​2. Donald Trump (United States)
The President of the United States is shielded by the U.S. Secret Service, an agency operating on a multi-billion-dollar annual budget. The U.S. President travels in “The Beast”—a custom-built, heavily armored Cadillac designed to withstand chemical attacks and direct explosive blasts—and is always accompanied by a motorcade that functions as a rolling, highly lethal fortress.
​3. Kim Jong Un (North Korea)
The North Korean leader’s protection is handled by the Supreme Guard Command, an elite military force estimated to consist of over 100,000 fiercely loyal soldiers. His security involves exhaustive background checks for anyone in his vicinity, layered human shields, and highly fortified armored trains for international travel.
​4. Xi Jinping (China)
Protected by the Central Guard Bureau, the Chinese President’s security detail is arguably the most secretive on this list. The Bureau is responsible for the safety of top Chinese Communist Party officials and relies on a massive, highly integrated state surveillance apparatus and elite plainclothes operatives to neutralize threats before they materialize.
​5. Pope Francis (Vatican City)
Though primarily a religious figure, the Pope is the sovereign of Vatican City. He is protected by the Pontifical Swiss Guard—one of the oldest active military units in the world—and the highly trained Vatican Gendarmerie Corps. When traveling, he also receives full backing from Italian state police and international intelligence agencies.
​6. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Turkey)
Following the 2016 coup attempt, the Turkish President significantly fortified his security. He is protected by the Presidential Guard Regiment, utilizing massive, heavily armed convoys, sniper teams, and advanced counter-assault vehicles whenever he moves.
​7. Emmanuel Macron (France)
The French President’s safety falls to the Security Group for the Presidency of the Republic (GSPR). This joint unit combines elite operatives from France’s national police and military forces, providing tightly choreographed, high-tech protection against both domestic and international threats.
​8. Narendra Modi (India)
The Indian Prime Minister is protected by the Special Protection Group (SPG). Formed specifically for the Prime Minister’s safety, the SPG operates with a massive budget dedicated to a single VIP, utilizing heavily armored vehicles and elite close-quarter combat specialists.
​9. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (Egypt)
As a former military commander, the Egyptian President’s security is deeply intertwined with the nation’s armed forces. He is protected by the Egyptian Republican Guard, a deeply entrenched and heavily equipped division of the military that secures the presidency, government buildings, and the capital.
​10. King Salman / Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Arabia)
The Saudi royal family’s safety is ensured by the Saudi Royal Guard Regiment. This independent military force answers directly to the King and the Crown Prince, featuring highly trained soldiers, massive armored motorcades, and state-of-the-art surveillance tech funded by the Kingdom’s immense wealth.
​Where Does President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Rank?
​A frequent question among Nigerians is whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ranks among this global top 10. The objective answer is no. While the Nigerian Presidency commands a formidable security apparatus, the nations in the top 10 are generally global superpowers with multi-billion-dollar security budgets or highly militarized states.
​So, what number does he fall under?
While there is no definitive global mathematical index that gives him an exact global number (such as #24 or #31), defense observers generally place the Nigerian President within the Top 50 globally, and comfortably in the Top 5 in Africa (often ranking alongside or just behind leaders like Egypt’s el-Sisi and Cameroon’s Paul Biya).
​President Tinubu’s protection is highly sophisticated, managed jointly by the Presidential Guard Brigade—an elite, fiercely trained branch of the Nigerian Army dedicated solely to the defense of the Aso Rock Villa and the President—and the Department of State Services (DSS), which handles close-body protection and intelligence gathering. Whenever the President moves, he is flanked by heavily armed counter-assault teams, bomb disposal units, and a convoy of armored vehicles, making him one of the most heavily guarded individuals on the African continent.
