Nigeria’s Leading Cybersecurity Architects: Top Earners

Cybersecurity in Nigeria is now a national priority. As digital adoption accelerates across banking, healthcare, energy, and public infrastructure, the need for resilient cyber defenses has never been more urgent. Behind the scenes, a formidable league of cybersecurity professionals is shaping the country’s response to digital threats, setting the tone for a safer, smarter future.

From banks to power plants, these experts are not only securing critical systems but also influencing policy, training future talent, and innovating at the frontiers of AI and cloud security.

This list spotlights the top cybersecurity minds in Nigeria today, those who lead with strategy, defend with precision, and empower with knowledge.

1. Enyinaya Okafor, Principal Cybersecurity Engineer at MetaGrid Technologies (₦45 million annually)

As a Lead Cybersecurity Principal Cybersecurity Engineer at MetaGrid Technologies, he is known for his precision in crafting adaptive security frameworks that address the unique needs of enterprises across cloud, media, and financial sectors. His expertise spans secure infrastructure design, risk assessment, and digital threat modeling, capabilities that have been instrumental in guiding clients through complex cybersecurity transformations.

He is proficient in deploying behavior-based threat detection systems, securing distributed cloud environments, and aligning security initiatives with operational workflows. He takes a systems-level approach to cybersecurity, ensuring that technical solutions are both scalable and resilient under real-world conditions. By combining strategic clarity with technical depth, he delivers security solutions that protect assets without disrupting business continuity.

2. Adeleke Okembe, Head of Information Technology at DUCHESS International Hospital (₦44 million annually)

Adeleke Okembe serves as the Head of Information Technology at DUCHESS International Hospital, where he oversees one of the most sensitive digital environments in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. With cybersecurity becoming a central concern in patient data protection and digital health systems, Adeleke has played a pivotal role in integrating resilient security protocols into the hospital’s IT infrastructure.

He leads the design and implementation of secure systems that comply with healthcare data standards while mitigating the risk of breaches in a high-compliance environment. From deploying access control systems to overseeing encrypted data exchanges and incident response strategies, he ensures patient information and operational workflows remain uncompromised. His leadership bridges the gap between healthcare service delivery and digital trust, reinforcing Duchess International Hospital’s position as a secure and technologically advanced medical institution.

3. Joel Yoka, Associate Director – Head of Technology, Information and Cybersecurity Risk at EquityBCDC (₦42 million annually)

Joel Yoka serves as the Associate Director and Head of Technology, Information, and Cybersecurity Risk at EquityBCDC, where he oversees risk governance across the bank’s digital infrastructure. With a career rooted in both technical mastery and enterprise risk management, Joel plays a critical role in ensuring the financial institution maintains a secure and compliant technology environment.

His expertise spans regulatory compliance, IT risk strategy, incident handling, and third-party risk management, all of which are essential for safeguarding a bank operating at cross-border scale. He integrates cybersecurity risk into overall business strategy, enabling leadership teams to make informed, risk-conscious decisions. Under his leadership, EquityBCDC has strengthened its resilience against cyber threats while aligning closely with international banking regulations.

4. Samuel Modupe, Head of Cybersecurity at Rova (₦40 million annually)

Samuel Modupe is the Head of Cybersecurity at Rova, where he leads the organization’s defense efforts in a rapidly growing digital services environment. Known for his technical expertise and strategic foresight, Samuel is responsible for designing and managing a cybersecurity framework that supports secure digital transactions, infrastructure reliability, and regulatory compliance.

His work focuses on securing enterprise networks, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing controls that reduce the organization’s exposure to cyber threats. With strong knowledge in areas like cloud security, endpoint protection, and identity management, Samuel ensures Rova’s systems are resilient against internal and external risks. His proactive stance on threat intelligence and incident readiness has elevated the company’s cybersecurity maturity, making him a key figure in Rova’s innovation-driven growth.

5. Ifeoma Ugwu, Head, Information Systems Compliance Unit at Ecobank Nigeria (₦39.5 million annually)

Ifeoma Ugwu leads the Information Systems Compliance Unit at Ecobank Nigeria, where she plays a pivotal role in aligning the bank’s digital operations with regulatory and cybersecurity standards. With a deep understanding of IT governance, risk, and compliance frameworks, she ensures that Ecobank’s systems meet both local and international expectations for data security and operational integrity.

Her responsibilities include overseeing audits, managing risk registers, and enforcing compliance protocols that cover everything from access control to data protection and vendor security. She is particularly skilled at interpreting complex regulatory requirements and translating them into actionable internal policies. Through her leadership, Ecobank Nigeria has reinforced its position as a secure and compliant financial institution, with digital safeguards that keep pace with the fast-evolving threat landscape.

6. Uche Obi, Lead AI Specialist at Hecon Digitals (₦38 million annually)

Uche Obi serves as the Lead AI Specialist at Hecon Digitals, where he bridges the gap between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. His role involves architecting intelligent security systems that leverage machine learning models for real-time threat detection, anomaly spotting, and behavioral analytics.

In a landscape where cyberattacks are becoming increasingly automated and deceptive, Uche’s work equips organizations with adaptive defenses that learn and evolve. His projects include developing AI-driven authentication protocols, deploying predictive models for breach prevention, and integrating automation into incident response pipelines.
By applying deep technical knowledge and a strong security mindset, he is driving a new era of cybersecurity innovation, one that is proactive, data-driven, and scalable across industries.

7. Emmanuel Idoro, Lead Information Security Consultant at Itex Integrated Services Ltd (₦37 million annually)

Emmanuel Idoro serves as the Lead Information Security Consultant at Itex Integrated Services Ltd, where he drives the company’s mission to secure digital payment systems and financial services infrastructure. With a strong focus on information assurance and regulatory compliance, Emmanuel designs security solutions that safeguard transaction data and support seamless fintech operations.

His work includes developing risk-based security frameworks, conducting vulnerability assessments, and aligning Itex’s security posture with standards. He also collaborates with cross-functional teams to build incident response protocols and ensure continuous security awareness across the organization. His contributions are instrumental in strengthening trust within Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital payments ecosystem, making him a key force in fintech cybersecurity.

8. Osamuyi Asemota, Lead IT Operations and Infrastructure at Egbin Power PLC (₦36.5 million annually)

With over a decade of experience as an IT Infrastructure Engineer, Osamuyi Asemota currently leads IT Operations and Infrastructure at Egbin Power PLC—one of Nigeria’s largest power-generating stations. His role encompasses enterprise networking, cybersecurity, and cloud architecture, ensuring that critical national infrastructure remains resilient and secure in the face of evolving digital threats.

Osamuyi’s expertise spans the deployment of secure network topologies, disaster recovery solutions, and the integration of cloud technologies into traditional infrastructure. He is especially focused on operational continuity, data integrity, and regulatory compliance in a high-stakes energy sector. He is a key figure in advancing the intersection of infrastructure reliability and cybersecurity within Nigeria’s utility industry.

9. Unwana Eyenobong, Lead Cybersecurity Consultant at Cipherpoint Consulting (₦35 million annually)

Unwana Eyenobong is the Lead Cybersecurity Consultant at Cipherpoint Consulting, where she provides strategic direction and hands-on expertise to clients across finance, tech, and public sector domains. With a strong grasp of vulnerability management, incident response, and threat intelligence, she crafts bespoke security frameworks tailored to complex enterprise environments.

Unwana’s approach balances deep technical insight with executive-level advisory. He works closely with C-suites and IT teams to ensure that security strategies align with business goals while meeting compliance obligations. Through his dedication to proactive defense and continuous improvement, Unwana is helping organizations build resilient, future-ready cybersecurity ecosystems.

10. Bolutife Adetoye, Lead Cybersecurity Instructor at Cybersphere Africa (₦33 million annually)

Bolutife Adetoye is an accomplished Lead Cybersecurity Instructor at Cybersphere Africa, where he plays a transformative role in developing Nigeria’s next generation of cybersecurity professionals. With a strong foundation in ethical hacking, threat intelligence, and incident response, he delivers hands-on training programs that blend theory with real-world application.

His approach goes beyond the classroom, he curates training environments that simulate active threat scenarios, giving learners the tools to think critically and act decisively. His contributions also include curriculum development, mentorship, and alignment of training content with global industry standards. Through his work, he is not only closing the skill gap in cybersecurity but also elevating the quality of professionals entering the field, reinforcing Cybersphere Africa’s mission to build capacity across the continent.