Nigeria’s defence sector, backed by a massive N4.91 trillion allocation in the 2025 national budget, is evolving from a predominantly government-led apparatus to a more diversified ecosystem featuring an emerging class of private defence contractors and technology innovators.
With insecurity and geopolitical risks remaining key national issues, local firms and founders are stepping in to help bridge gaps in capacity, technology, and self-reliance, reducing the country’s dependence on foreign arms and systems.
Don’t Miss This: Meet the CEOs powering Nigeria’s top consumer goods stocks of 2025
Below are the key CEOs and founders driving this shift in Nigeria’s defence landscape:
You can search all their pictures from google.
🔹 1. Bem Ibrahim Garba – CEO, DICON Gray Insignia
As the chief executive of DICON Gray Insignia, Berem Ibrahim Garba leads one of the most established firms in Nigeria’s defence industrial scene. The company works closely with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to deliver locally-produced military hardware and technologies that enhance national security.
🔹 2. Nathan Nwachuku & Maxwell Maduka – Co-Founders, TerraHaptix
This dynamic duo helms TerraHaptix, a cutting-edge defence tech company focused on autonomous systems and surveillance technologies. Their work aligns with a broader trend of technological innovation in the Nigerian defence industry. Notably, their venture Terra Industries recently raised $11.75 million in a seed round led by Silicon Valley’s 8VC, marking one of the largest funding rounds for a Nigerian defence tech startup.
🔹 3. Monsuru Anifowoshe – Founder & CEO, Kifta Technologies
Monsuru Anifowoshe heads Kifta Technologies, a firm contributing to Nigeria’s defence ecosystem through specialised tech and security solutions. By investing in local capabilities, Anifowoshe’s leadership helps nurture Nigeria’s technological competencies in defence applications.
🔹 4. Ayo Omotoriogun – CEO, Buckler Land Systems Limited
At the helm of Buckler Land Systems, Ayo Omotoriogun focuses on land-based defence platforms and support systems. His leadership emphasizes indigenous design and manufacturing to support Nigeria’s armed forces with homegrown solutions.
🔹 5. Kola Balogun – CEO, Epail Nigeria
Kola Balogun leads Epail Nigeria, a company providing protective equipment and tactical gear to defense and security agencies. Through locally-produced safety systems, Epail contributes to reducing import dependency and boosting domestic content in defence supplies.
🔹 6. Sylvanus Ghasarha – Founder, Solar Nigachem Limited
Sylvanus Ghasarha heads Solar Nigachem, a firm known for integrating sustainable energy solutions into security systems and infrastructure. By leveraging renewable tech for defence applications, his company intersects national security with strategic energy resilience.
🔹 7. Agbo Shedrach – Co-Founder & CEO, Imperium Nigeria
Agbo Shedrach’s Imperium Nigeria contributes solutions across the wider value chain of security and defence services — from protective technologies to civilian-grade systems that support broader national resilience.
🔹 8. Ade Ogundeyin – CEO, Proforce Defence Limited
A pioneer in Nigeria’s indigenous defence manufacture, Ade Ogundeyin’s Proforce Defence is the country’s first total defence provider and is certified to international standards (ISO 9001:2015). The company manufactures armoured vehicles, protective gear, and military systems, and has supplied products to governments within Africa and beyond. Proforce also collaborates on advanced programmes including satellite launches to support national security and surveillance.
🧠 Why This Matters
Nigeria’s defence and security sector now commands one of the largest budget allocations in the national budget — N4.91 trillion in 2025 — reflecting the government’s priority on security and industrial capacity building. Despite this, the country still imports significant portions of its military equipment. For instance, in the first half of 2025, Nigeria imported over N26.95 billion worth of weapons, more than double the previous year, highlighting the need for local capability expansion.
Local founders and CEOs are increasingly stepping up to this challenge, innovating across manufacturing, surveillance tech, systems integration, and defence support services — contributing not just to national security but also to job creation and technological advancement.
Don’t Miss This: Meet the CEOs powering Nigeria’s top consumer goods stocks of 2025
✨ Conclusion
As Nigeria reinforces its defence infrastructure with a strong annual budget and supportive policy environment, these CEOs and founders are emerging as pivotal players in building a more resilient, locally-driven defence industry.
Source: Nairametrics
