Panel 54 Podcast

Panel 54 is where Africa tells its own story. From Lagos to Lamu, Cape Town to Cairo, hosts Waweru Njoroge (Kenya) and Ndu Okoh (Kenya/Zimbabwe) explore the people, power, and politics shaping the continent. Each episode delivers sharp, evidence-first conversations with leaders, activists, athletes, and cultural voices. From sports and identity to security, media, new foreign influence, youth movements, sovereignty, and Africa’s place in a multipolar world, Panel 54 offers a global perspective through an African lens.

Panel 54 Podcast is a news podcast hosted by panel54pod, with 53 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

panel54pod hosts Panel 54 Podcast, a news show with 53 episodes published.

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  Episode #55

  Femi Babafemi Kennedy Echesa Lubengu - Meth In Africa Pt 2

  Oct 2, 202655 minS1

  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.

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  Episode #54

  Fidel Owusu - Meth in Africa [Part 1]

  Sep 25, 202649 minS1

  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.

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  Episode #53

  Siaka Nasiru - Defending Nigeria

  Sep 19, 202655 minS1

  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.

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  Episode #52

  Nsikak Nelson - Secure Code

  Sep 11, 202648 minS1

  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.

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  Episode #51

  DAUD JIRAN & DR. DIBA WAKO - Pastoral Security

  Sep 4, 202655 minS1

  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.

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