Panel 54 Podcast

Could Russia shape Nigeria’s 2027 election without supporting a particular candidate?
In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge speaks with investigative journalist Philip Obaji Jr. and Dr Oladeji Olatunji, a lecturer in Public Relations and Advertising at Lagos State University.Philip examines Russian-linked influence networks operating across Nigeria and West Africa, including coordinated articles, fabricated journalists, fake experts, paid media placements, social media bot accounts and the evidence used to identify the people behind these campaigns.
Dr Olatunji explores how foreign narratives gain credibility through Nigerian media, influencers and social networks by exploiting genuine concerns about insecurity, corruption, economic pressure and distrust in political institutions.
The conversation asks whether an influence campaign could affect Nigeria’s 2027 election by convincing citizens that voting is pointless, institutions cannot be trusted and authoritarian alternatives are more effective.
It also examines cooperation between journalists, fact-checkers, technology platforms, government institutions and international partners to expose coordinated manipulation while protecting legitimate political debate.
A sharp discussion on Russian influence, election interference, disinformation, artificial intelligence, media credibility and Nigeria’s democratic future.
Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo.
📩 Contact: hello@panel54pod.com
🔔 Subscribe: http://linktree.com/panel54pod
🎙 Recorded in Nairobi, Kenya
🎧 Produced by Commex Africa and E & C Talent
❗ Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guests, and not the podcast producers.

Can partnerships help African defence companies move from promising ideas to deployed capability?
In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge speaks with Todd Stiefler, Director of Commercial at Terra Industries. Todd brings experience across government, national security, industrial technology, software and commercial growth, including work connected to GE and WHOOP.
Founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, Terra Industries has reportedly raised between $51.7 million and $79.5 million, making it one of Africa’s most heavily funded defence technology startups.
The conversation explores autonomous systems, counter-drone technology, artificial intelligence, data sovereignty, local production and the challenge of moving African defence innovations from prototypes to deployed systems.
Todd also examines how cooperation with the United States can connect capital, expertise and markets with African engineering, manufacturing and operating knowledge without creating dependence on closed foreign systems.
A sharp discussion on defence partnerships, sovereign technology, regional production, critical infrastructure and Africa’s emerging security technology sector. Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo.
This is Panel 54, a global perspective through an African lens.
📩 Contact: ⁠hello@panel54pod.com⁠ 🔔 Subscribe: ⁠http://linktree.com/panel54pod⁠ 🎙 Recorded in Nairobi, Kenya 🎧 Produced by Commex Africa and E & C Talent
❗ Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guest, and not the podcast producers.

Can African states dismantle meth networks and successfully prosecute those behind them?
In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge speaks with Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at Nigeria’s NDLEA, and Kennedy Echesa Lubengu, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Femi examines Nigeria’s recurring meth laboratories, foreign specialists, precursor chemicals, illicit finance and the intelligence-led operations targeting the networks behind production.
Kennedy explores the legal battle after an arrest, including evidence handling, asset recovery, corruption, cross-border investigations and the weaknesses that allow major cases to collapse in court.
The conversation also examines cooperation with the United States through intelligence sharing, joint operations, digital investigations and training for African investigators, prosecutors and judicial officers.
A sharp discussion on meth production in Africa, organised crime, drug prosecutions, illicit finance, international cartels and US-Africa security cooperation. Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo.
This is Panel 54, a global perspective through an African lens.
📩 Contact: ⁠hello@panel54pod.com⁠ 🔔 Subscribe: ⁠http://linktree.com/panel54pod⁠ 🎙 Recorded in Nairobi, Kenya 🎧 Produced by Commex Africa and E & C Talent
❗ Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guests, and not the podcast producers.

Is Africa becoming a new frontier for methamphetamine production and trafficking?
In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge and Thule Lenneiye speaks with Fidel Amakye Owusu, a Ghanaian geopolitical and security analyst, about the growth of meth production and trafficking across Africa.
The conversation examines clandestine labs in Nigeria, major seizures linked to Ghana and Kenya, foreign criminal networks, porous borders, corruption and the growing African market for synthetic drugs.
Fidel also explores how modern border technology, stronger intelligence sharing, better port security and cooperation with the United States and Europe could prevent Africa from becoming a global meth production hub.
A sharp discussion on methamphetamine in Africa, organised crime, drug trafficking, border security, corruption and international security cooperation. Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo.
This is Panel 54, a global perspective through an African lens.
📩 Contact: ⁠hello@panel54pod.com⁠ 🔔 Subscribe: ⁠http://linktree.com/panel54pod⁠ 🎙 Recorded in Nairobi, Kenya 🎧 Produced by Commex Africa and E & C Talent.
❗ Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guest or guests, and not the podcast producers.

In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge and Thule Lenneiye sit down with Siaka Nasiru, a former Nigerian Army officer, private consultant and security analyst, to examine why Nigeria continues to struggle with insecurity despite its military strength, intelligence capabilities and international partnerships.
Nasiru brings both a tactical and strategic perspective, shaped by 10 years of military service and his current work analysing Nigeria's security system from outside the institution.
This conversation looks at why intelligence is only valuable when it leads to action. Warnings must be gathered early, assessed quickly, passed through effective command structures and matched with the authority, resources and rapid-response capability needed to prevent an attack.
The episode explores military overextension, police and intelligence reform, civil-military trust, community intelligence, local government, drones, border security and the institutional weaknesses that allow threats to grow before the state responds.
It also examines Nigeria's security relationship with the United States, regional cooperation against Boko Haram and ISWAP, and how international partners can support surveillance, training, intelligence processing, maintenance and rapid-response capacity without creating permanent dependence.
A sharp discussion on Nigeria's security architecture, intelligence failure, rapid response, police reform, military overextension, community intelligence, drones, border security, Boko Haram, ISWAP, regional cooperation and the future of Nigeria's partnership with the United States. Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo.
This is Panel 54, a global perspective through an African lens.
📩 Contact: hello@panel54pod.com🔔 Subscribe: http://linktree.com/panel54pod🎙 Recorded in Nairobi, Kenya🎧 Produced by Commex Africa and E & C Talent
❗ Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guest or guests, and not the podcast producers.

In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge and Thule Lenneiye sit down with Nsikak Joseph Nelson, a Nigerian defence technology executive, cybersecurity strategist and systems architect, to examine Nigeria's preparation for the dawn of cybersecurity as defence.
Nsikak brings an indigenous defence technology perspective shaped by his work across secure communications, intelligence systems, cyber defence, tactical platforms and command and control technology.
This conversation looks at why modern national defence cannot be separated from secure code, encryption, data sovereignty, resilient communication networks, artificial intelligence and control over critical digital infrastructure.The episode explores how Nigeria can move from purchasing foreign technology towards building, controlling, modifying and sustaining its own defence capabilities.
It also examines the challenges facing local innovators, including funding, testing, procurement, military adoption and scaling prototypes for operational use.It considers how the United States and other international partners can support Nigeria through joint research, knowledge transfer, technical expertise and stronger security cooperation, without leaving the country permanently dependent on imported systems.
A sharp discussion on secure code, cybersecurity as defence, technological sovereignty, artificial intelligence, encrypted communications, indigenous defence technology, regional intelligence sharing and Nigeria's security future. Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo.
This is Panel 54, a global perspective through an African lens.
📩 Contact: [hello@panel54pod.com](mailto:hello@panel54pod.com)
🔔 Subscribe: http://linktree.com/panel54pod
🎙 Recorded in Nairobi, Kenya
🎧 Produced by Commex Africa and E & C Talent
 
❗ Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guest or guests, and not the podcast producers.

For many families in the Horn of Africa, livestock is wealth, food, savings and survival. One failed season can turn all of it into hunger, displacement and crisis.
In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge sits down with Daud Jiran, Somalia Country Director at Mercy Corps, and Dr. Diba Dida Wako, Regional Livestock Programme Director at Mercy Corps, to examine food security, livestock and resilience in the Horn of Africa.
Daud brings the country level view from Somalia, where famine risk, drought, displacement, shrinking aid and long term recovery are urgent realities.Dr. Diba brings the livestock systems view, shaped by more than 18 years of regional experience and firsthand herding experience from Marsabit.
This conversation looks at why food security in the Horn cannot be separated from livestock, animal health, markets, climate shocks, mobility, finance, trade and conflict prevention.
The episode explores how communities can move from repeated emergency response toward stronger local systems that protect herds, incomes, food access and dignity before crisis becomes catastrophe.
It also looks at how Mercy Corps, African governments, private sector actors and international partners, including the United States, can support locally led resilience without reducing the region to a permanent aid recipient.
A sharp discussion on food security in the Horn of Africa, pastoralism, livestock systems, famine prevention, climate resilience, Mercy Corps, regional trade and the future of resilience in the Horn of Africa.Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo.
This is Panel 54, a global perspective through an African lens.
📩 Contact: [hello@panel54pod.com](mailto:hello@panel54pod.com)
🔔 Subscribe: http://linktree.com/panel54pod
🎙 Recorded in NBI kenya
🎧 Produced by Commex Africa and E & C Talent
 
❗️Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guest/s, and not the podcast producers.

What happens when diplomacy becomes the frontline of a country’s security, trade and global influence?
In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge sits down with Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, to examine Kenya’s place in a changing global order.
From regional security and African diplomacy to diaspora affairs, trade, foreign policy and strategic partnerships, this conversation explores how Kenya navigates a world shaped by shifting alliances, economic disruption, conflict and great-power competition.
Dr. Mudavadi reflects on Kenya’s role in Africa, the future of diplomacy, the importance of regional stability and how foreign policy can serve national interests while strengthening Africa’s voice globally.
The episode also looks at Kenya’s partnerships with the United States and other international actors, including how cooperation can support security, trade, investment, governance, diaspora protection and Africa-led development.
At its core, this is a conversation about diplomacy, power, sovereignty and how Kenya positions itself in a world where Africa is no longer just being discussed, but increasingly shaping the agenda.
A sharp discussion on Kenya’s foreign policy, regional security, diplomacy, diaspora affairs, strategic partnerships, U.S.-Kenya relations and Africa’s role in the global order.
Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo.
This is Panel 54, a global perspective through an African lens.
📩 Contact: hello@panel54pod.com🔔 Subscribe: http://linktree.com/panel54pod🎙 Recorded in NBI kenya🎧 Produced by Commex Africa and E & C Talent
❗️Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guest/s, and not the podcast producers.

Thule Lenneiye is a Zimbabwean- Kenyan food systems, climate action and digital transformation expert, and Chief of Staff at AGRA.
This conversation looks at why Africa’s food challenge is not only about producing more food. It is about building systems that can deliver safe, nutritious and affordable food through climate shocks, conflict, trade disruptions and economic pressure.
The episode explores food sovereignty, regional trade, digital agriculture, investment, post-harvest losses, farmer data and why governments must treat food security as part of national security.
It also looks at how the United States and other partners can support African priorities through research, climate intelligence, finance, infrastructure, universities, markets and technology without creating dependency.
A sharp discussion on food security, agriculture, climate resilience, African ownership, national security and the future of Africa’s food sovereignty.
Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo.
This is Panel 54, a global perspective through an African lens.
📩 Contact: ⁠hello@panel54pod.com⁠ 🔔 Subscribe: ⁠http://linktree.com/panel54pod⁠ 🎙 Recorded in NBI kenya 🎧 Produced by Commex Africa and E & C Talent
❗️Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guest/s, and not the podcast producers.

What does peace look like when a teacher steps into conflict with books, dialogue and trust instead of guns?
In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge sits down with Jummai Abdullahi, a teacher and university lecturer from Maiduguri, Nigeria to examine Borno’s non-kinetic security front.
Her work challenges the idea that counterinsurgency is only about soldiers, weapons and battlefield gains. For her, peace is built through education, trauma support, women’s protection, community dialogue and trusted local institutions.
From displaced children and accelerated learning to radio programmes, NGOs, security agencies and local peace frameworks, this conversation explores how communities recover after insurgency and how education can help stop violence from returning.
The episode also looks at how the United States and other international partners can support locally led peacebuilding through education, research, institutional development and community resilience.
At its core, this is a conversation about the peacemaker, a woman using classrooms, language and trust to build stability where conflict tried to take root.
A sharp discussion on Borno, education, peacebuilding, counterinsurgency, women’s protection, NGOs, security agencies and the non-kinetic side of security in Northern Nigeria and beyond
Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo.
This is Panel 54, a global perspective through an African lens.
📩 Contact: ⁠hello@panel54pod.com⁠ 🔔 Subscribe: ⁠http://linktree.com/panel54pod⁠ 🎙 Recorded in NBI kenya 🎧 Produced by Commex Africa and E & C Talent
❗️Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guest/s, and not the podcast producers.