The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has strengthened efforts to enhance Nigeria’s domestic security manufacturing capacity through a strategic engagement with Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL Nigeria).

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of LSSTF, Ayo Ogunsan, disclosed this during a working visit to EPAIL’s production facility along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

The firm made this known in a statement made available on Saturday in Abuja.

Ogunsan, accompanied by the Director of Administration, Mr Adegbola Lewis, held discussions with EPAIL Chairman/CEO, Kola Balogun, and Director of Engineering, AVM Olabisi (rtd), on possible collaboration for the procurement of security equipment for agencies in Lagos State.

He said the partnership was aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity, promoting Made-in-Nigeria security solutions, and reducing dependence on imported defence equipment.

According to him, prioritising local content would also conserve foreign exchange, create jobs, and enhance technical expertise within the country’s security sector.

Ogunsan described indigenous production as both economically viable and strategically important, noting that locally manufactured equipment offers faster delivery timelines and better adaptation to operational realities.

He expressed satisfaction with EPAIL’s production capabilities and commitment to quality in defence-grade equipment.

Established in 2014, EPAIL Nigeria is recognised as a pioneer indigenous manufacturer of ballistic protection equipment, including bulletproof vests and helmets.

The company also operates a research and development framework focused on advancing local security technologies and providing protection solutions across Nigeria.

Its product range covers personal protective gear, surveillance systems, and other security applications tailored for both public and private sector use.

The engagement underscores growing synergy between security funding institutions and local manufacturers aimed at strengthening national security architecture while promoting industrial growth.

In his remarks, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EPAIL, Engr Kola Balogun, welcomed the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Ayo Ogunsan, to the company’s facility, signaling a strategic step toward strengthening Nigeria’s indigenous security infrastructure.

During the visit, Balogun reaffirmed EPAIL’s commitment to delivering high-quality, locally manufactured protective security equipment tailored to meet the nation’s evolving safety demands.

He emphasised that deeper collaboration between public institutions and indigenous manufacturers would play a pivotal role in enhancing national security.

According to him, the partnership represents more than a routine engagement—it is a deliberate move to build local capacity, promote Made-in-Nigeria security solutions, and reduce the country’s reliance on imported defence equipment.

Balogun further urged government stakeholders to prioritise local content in procurement processes, noting that such a shift would conserve foreign exchange, stimulate job creation, and accelerate the development of technical expertise within Nigeria’s security sector.

The engagement underscores a growing recognition of the importance of homegrown innovation in addressing complex security challenges, while positioning local industries as key drivers of sustainable economic growth.

•PHOTO: Ogunsan, accompanied by the Director of Administration, Mr Adegbola Lewis, held discussions with EPAIL Chairman/CEO, Kola Balogun, and Director of Engineering, AVM Olabisi (rtd), on possible collaboration for the procurement of security equipment for agencies in Lagos State.

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