Obafemi Adekunle is the Group Chief Executive Officer of SP Offshore Defense Group, a multinational defense and security company focused on the development, integration, and deployment of advanced military and security technologies across Africa.
He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and Private Equity from Harvard Business School, where he graduated as a Baker Scholar, alongside a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Corporate Law from Columbia University as a recipient of the Walter Gellhorn Prize and Order of the Coif distinction. He also earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Corporate Law and Banking & Finance from Université Paris-Sorbonne and HEC Paris respectively. His academic background is further complemented by legal qualifications in both the United States (New York Bar) and France.
Obafemi began his career within leading global financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, where he held roles across investment banking, mergers & acquisitions, and securities trading. His experience spans complex financial structuring, capital markets, and strategic advisory at the highest levels of global finance.
He is the driving force behind a landmark strategic partnership between SP Offshore Nigeria Limited and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), aimed at developing indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities valued at over $2 billion. This initiative encompasses unmanned systems, ammunition production, maritime platforms, and advanced electronic warfare technologies.
With a strong international outlook, Obafemi has led engagements with leading defense and technology companies across Europe, facilitating the transfer of advanced capabilities into Nigeria. His work focuses on bridging global defense innovation with local operational needs, with an emphasis on sustainability, localization, and long-term national security development.
Under his leadership, SP Offshore Defense Group is positioning itself as a key integrator of counter-UAS and electronic warfare systems, delivering scalable, mission-ready solutions tailored to modern security challenges.
Obafemi Adekunle continues to play a central role in shaping defense partnerships, government engagements, and strategic initiatives that support the evolution of Nigeria’s defense and security architecture.