From NYSC Delay to $1.5 Million: The Rise of West Africa’s Largest Safety Footwear Maker

When a delayed NYSC posting left Computer Science graduate Yinka Atunde with free time in 2015, he surprised everyone by deciding to learn shoemaking instead of chasing a tech job abroad. That bold choice led him on a journey across Italy, China, and local factories, mastering the craft from the ground up. Spotting a gap in Nigeria’s industrial sector, he restored machinery from defunct factories and built Yikodeen, now the region’s leading safety footwear manufacturer. Despite early doubters, the company secured a 10,000-pair contract with the Nigerian Police in 2022 and supplies major firms like Dangote Group and NLNG. After a $1.5 million investment in 2025, Yikodeen’s Ejigbo plant can churn out over 5,000 safety boots daily and employs 500 workers—61% of them women. Atunde’s mission: prove Nigeria can produce world-class industrial gear and cut import dependency.

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