From Surulere to Cybersecurity Leadership

For Kessington Ekhaiyeme, the founder and CEO of Kenima Cybersecurity, success didn’t come from chasing money. It came from relentlessly following his passion. Recently featured in Punch Newspaper (July 12, 2025), Kessington shared how a childhood shaped by hands-on learning and a hunger for knowledge became the fuel behind his journey from Surulere, Lagos to becoming a respected U.S.-based cybersecurity entrepreneur.

“Passion will power whatever puts food on your table,” he said. “If there’s no passion in what you do, it will show in your output.”

A Childhood Rooted in Practical Skills

Growing up in Lagos in the 1980s, Kessington was raised by a mother who believed that skills with your hands were just as important as academic credentials. While she encouraged her children to pursue higher education, she also insisted they learn practical trades. That mindset led Kessington to a computer college in Ikeja, where he began studying early programming languages like COBOL and WordPerfect, long before cybersecurity became a career path.

The Journey Through West Africa

Before landing in the United States, Kessington explored Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, and Senegal, experiences that broadened his worldview. His five years in Dakar, Senegal, working with a phone and computer import business, were pivotal. It was there he realized that people were struggling with digital systems but didn’t know how to articulate what they needed.

“All the things I learned in Lagos started working for me in Dakar,” he said. “I began helping people with their applications, and that passion led me into security.”

How Cybersecurity Became His Mission

Cybersecurity wasn’t the original goal. Kessington was simply fascinated by how things work, from software to hardware. But after troubleshooting systems for others, he started questioning how data could be protected from abuse and leaks.

When he moved to the U.S. in 2008, his questions became a career. He earned a degree in Information Technology with a focus on network security, then began working in Security Operations Centers (SOCs). There, he saw firsthand how data breaches, social security fraud, and identity theft were daily threats.

What Cybersecurity Means in 2025

According to Kessington, in the U.S., data is like gold. Everything—from your name and date of birth to your social security number—is a gateway to your digital identity. Protecting that information is no longer optional. It’s critical for personal safety, business continuity, and national security.

That’s what drives Kenima Cybersecurity, the MSSP (Managed Security Services Provider) Kessington founded. The company focuses on helping small U.S. businesses secure their networks, prepare for cyber insurance compliance, and reduce their exposure to threats through:

Kenima Cybersecurity focuses on helping small and mid-sized businesses get “insurance-ready” by strengthening their cybersecurity posture to meet stringent cyber insurance requirements. They offer a range of services including

• Dark Web Monitoring to detect and alert on compromised credentials

• Endpoint Protection with advanced antivirus, anti-malware, zero-trust controls

• Risk Assessments to identify vulnerabilities in your systems and processes

• Penetration Testing to proactively expose and remediate weaknesses

• Compliance Readiness for industry standards like HIPAA, PCI‑DSS, and CMMC

• Cyber Liability Insurance Support, helping clients meet insurer requirements—not selling policies directly

Their overall mission is to ensure clients check every technical and compliance box—minimizing downtime, reducing premiums, and protecting reputation—before applying for or renewing cyber liability insurance

Passion Before Profit

In the Punch interview, Kessington repeatedly emphasized that entrepreneurs who prioritize money over passion often fail. It’s not about launching a business just to make income; it’s about solving a real problem that people care about.

“The reason many entrepreneurs fail is that they chase money, not passion. Passion stabilizes your business and attracts the right clients.”

He spoke about working sleepless nights just to find solutions to client problems—not because of the paycheck, but because the work matters to him.

Lessons for the Next Generation

Kessington’s advice to young entrepreneurs is clear:

• Be passionate about what you do.

• Know what your product or service truly offers society.

• Build resilience, because setbacks will come.

• Learn continuously and never stop experimenting.

• Put in the work—even when no one is watching.

“If you don’t have passion, you won’t have the stamina to withstand challenges. Passion gives you the fuel to keep going when money doesn’t.”

Cybersecurity in Nigeria: Education Is Key

Although his business is U.S.-based, Kessington is deeply committed to supporting cybersecurity growth in Nigeria. He believes the country needs more awareness and education around data protection, digital identity, and cyber hygiene.

He compared the adoption of BVN and NIN to the need for cybersecurity education:

“People can’t protect what they don’t understand. We must pass information in ways the average Nigerian can grasp. When they realize their data is their business, priorities will shift.”

Growing a Client Base in Nigeria

Kenima Cybersecurity currently serves a growing client base in the U.S., but expansion into Nigeria is already underway. Kessington confirmed ongoing partnerships with a major ISP and a travel and tourism firm in Nigeria. These efforts reflect his long-term goal of building a secure digital future both in the U.S. and Africa.

“Nigeria is where it all started for me. It’s only right that we contribute to its digital safety and future.”

A Simple Secret to Thriving Abroad

According to Kessington, the real secret to surviving and thriving in the U.S. is having a skill people are willing to pay for. His journey started with learning how to fix computers. Today, he leads a cybersecurity firm protecting businesses across multiple states.

“Labour is expensive in America. If you have something you do with your hands—plumbing, coding, design—people will pay. Just make sure it solves a problem.”

Final Word: Your Data is Your Business

The biggest takeaway from this inspiring story isn’t just about cybersecurity—it’s about how passion fuels purpose, and how that purpose builds businesses that last. As digital threats increase in 2025, so does the need for passionate professionals like Kessington who aren't just chasing profit but building solutions.

Want to learn more about how Kenima Cybersecurity helps U.S. businesses prepare for cyber insurance and defend their networks?
👉 Contact Us

Related Reading:
📌 Why Multi-Factor Authentication Is a Must in 2025
📌 How EDR Helps Stop Modern Threats