Panel 54 Podcast

Episodes

• 
  Joshua Meservey - Chaos in the Horn 31.10.2026 46m

  The conversation explores Sudan’s civil war, the risk of renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, al-Shabaab’s resilience in Somalia, Somaliland’s pursuit of recognition and Ethiopia’s search for reliable access to the sea. Joshua also examines the role of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Iran and Russia, as well as how insecurity in Yemen and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait threatens shipping, trade, food security and economic stability across East Africa.
• 
  Philip Obaji Jr. and Dr Oladeji Olatunji - Election Meddling 20.10.2026 47m

  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.
• 
  Todd Stiefler - PARTNERSHIPS IN AFRICA 09.10.2026 43m

  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.
• 
  Femi Babafemi Kennedy Echesa Lubengu - Meth In Africa Pt 2 02.10.2026 55m

  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.
• 
  Fidel Owusu - Meth in Africa [Part 1] 25.09.2026 47m

  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.
• 
  Siaka Nasiru - Defending Nigeria 19.09.2026 55m

  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.
• 
  Nsikak Nelson - Secure Code 11.09.2026 47m

  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.
• 
  DAUD JIRAN & DR. DIBA WAKO - Pastoral Security 04.09.2026 55m

  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
• 
  Hon. Dr Musalia Mudavadi - Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary. 28.08.2026 1h 4m

  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.
• 
  Thule Lenneiye - Food Security 14.08.2026 54m

  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.
• 
  Jummai Abdullahi - The Peace Maker 07.08.2026 28m

  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
• 
  Dr. Sani Muhammad - Sahel Crisis 31.07.2026 1h 23m

  From Boko Haram and ISWAP to banditry, kidnapping for ransom, weak local government, intelligence failures and community distrust, this conversation explores why insecurity cannot be treated as a military problem alone. It is also a governance issue, a political issue, an economic issue and a crisis of state presence. Dr. Muhammad explains how bad governance, exclusion, poverty, weak service delivery, slow state response and the collapse of local authority create the conditions in which insurgency, extremism and criminal networks grow
• 
  Enos Mate & Itoro Richard - Xenophobia in South Africa 24.07.2026 50m

  The episode also looks at mixed African families, children caught between identities, the limits of legal status, police response, embassy support, vigilante document checks, and the responsibilities of South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and other African governments when Africans are threatened inside another African country.
• 
  Amira Adawe: Lightening Death 18.07.2026 1h 1m

  A sharp discussion on skin bleaching, toxic cosmetics, mercury exposure, China-linked imports, public health, beauty standards, environmental safety and Africa’s regulatory crisis.
• 
  Lillian, Queenter, Njeri and Cynthia - Sexploitation. 10.07.2026 1h 40m

  From fake job offers and unsafe migration to online abuse, forced labour, survivor protection and youth vulnerability, this conversation explores why sexploitation cannot be treated as a gender issue alone. It is also a labour issue, a migration issue, a digital-rights issue, a criminal-economy issue and an emerging national-security concern. The discussion examines how exploitation is enabled by poverty, unemployment, unsafe recruitment networks, weak institutions, poor cyber-investigation, platform impunity, stigma, corruption and limited regional coordination.
• 
  Prof. Heidi J. Larson - Fear Goes Viral 03.07.2026 1h 40m

  Professor Larson also examines why rumours travel faster than official information, how social media pushes anti-science narratives into the mainstream, and why governments and international agencies often fail when they speak at communities instead of with them.
• 
  H.E. Dr. Ali Maalim Mohamud: Water, Power and Borders 26.06.2026 56m

  From water scarcity and climate pressure to cross-border trade, infrastructure, energy, diplomacy and security, this conversation explores why Mandera cannot be understood as a remote frontier. It is a regional gateway sitting at the intersection of trade, migration, geopolitics and development.
• 
  Cpt. (Rtd.) Luqman Gidado, PhD: Nigeria’s Insecurity Economy 19.06.2026 1h 2m

  The episode also looks at insecurity as a business, asking who benefits when ransom payments, fear and violence become part of the economy. It examines how weak institutions, ungoverned spaces and limited state presence create room for criminal networks to grow.
• 
  David Meshioye - Nigeria & US, Strengthening W. African Security 12.06.2026 49m

  In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge sits down with David Meshioye, Nigerian journalist and editor, to examine Nigeria’s security challenges and the case for stronger cooperation between the United States and African states.
• 
  Fidel Owusu - Coups, Chaos, Conflict 05.06.2026 57m

  What happens when terrorism, coups, organised crime, and geopolitical competition collide in one of the world’s most volatile regions? In this episode of Panel 54, Waweru Njoroge sits down with Fidel Amakye Owusu, Ghanaian geopolitical and security analyst, to unpack the rapidly evolving security landscape across the Sahel and West Africa.