Lekki’s hospitality and entertainment scene has a new crown jewel with the unveiling of Podium Empire Guesthouse & Lounge, a 12-room boutique guesthouse, an Afrocentric outdoor lounge, a VIP private club, and a full car hire service for visiting Diasporans. This ambitious venture by TitiLola Aboyade-Cole is more than a business opening, it is a living tribute to the legacies of her parents, both pioneers in their own fields.
The journey began with Podium International Schools, a family-run institution that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2024, the property’s compound was repurposed into an open-air lounge and garden bar. The concept quickly became a favourite hangout, sparking overwhelming customer demand for expanded services. Listening to her patrons, Aboyade-Cole renovated and reimagined the space into today’s Podium Empire; a place that now offers not just accommodation and fine dining, but a cultural and musical experience.
A Mother’s Hospitality & Education Legacy
Aboyade-Cole’s mother, now 92 and still a guiding light, was a celebrated hotelier in Lagos from the 1960s through the 1970s, running the distinguished Palace de Obanta. Known for its warm welcome and high standards, the hotel became a social and business hub for both locals and visitors. She was also an educator, founding and running schools; a tradition her daughter continued with Podium International Schools. “My mother’s attention to detail, her commitment to guests, and her passion for education shaped so much of who I am,” says Titi Aboyade-Cole. “I owe her an enormous debt of gratitude.”
A Father’s Musical & Cultural Influence
While the hospitality ethos came from her mother, the heartbeat of Podium Empire, its music, ambience, and private club is rooted in her father’s remarkable career. The late Babatunde Olatunde Aboyade-Cole was a celebrated highlife musician, composer, and immigration officer who led the BOAC Orchestra (later known as the Babatunde Olatunde Aboyade-Cole Memorial Orchestras). His highlife band graced stages at the iconic Federal Palace Hotel and was known for captivating performances until it disbanded about 10years after he passed.
A multi-talented musician, he was an organist, a trumpeter, a choir master, and a composer of high repute. Aboyade-Cole’s father passed away almost fifty years ago, on November 5, 1975; a date now forever intertwined with Podium Empire’s history.
The lounge’s first anniversary, on November 5, 2025, will double as a grand memorial celebration in his honour. “I deliberately chose November 5 for the opening of the lounge in 2024,” Aboyade-Cole shares. “It’s my way of bringing my father’s memory into the very fabric of Podium Empire.”
In tribute to his love for music, a free piano graces the reception area, inviting guests to play and immerse themselves in the musical spirit that inspired this venture.
Podium Empire: Where Heritage Meets Modern Comfort
Today, Podium Empire offers a diverse hospitality experience:
• 12 uniquely themed Afrocentric guest rooms blending cultural artistry with modern amenities.
• A VIP private club, providing an exclusive atmosphere for members and special guests.
• An outdoor lounge and garden bar that serves as a lively social hub.
• A car hire service tailored for guests and Diasporans visiting during festive periods, complete with airport pick-up and drop-off.
“This place is the intersection of my mother’s devotion to hospitality and my father’s passion for music,” says Aboyade-Cole. “It is inspired by my parents, but it is also designed for the present, for people to feel at home, connect with culture, and celebrate life.”
From the hospitality suites to the private club’s rhythm-filled nights, every corner of Podium Empire carries the imprint of two remarkable lives; one dedicated to welcoming and educating, the other to entertaining and inspiring. Together, they form the heartbeat of a new Lekki landmark, ensuring that the past’s rich traditions are not only remembered but lived, night after night.
