LONDON, Thursday, 5 November 2026. The stage is set for Geopolitics with Oladimeji Bolarinwa as the independent conversation platform prepares to welcome invited speakers and guests to its London event tomorrow, Friday, 6 November 2026. Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. at St Pancras Community Association, 67 Plender Street, London NW1 0LB.
With its advertised theme, “The Battle for West Africa”, the gathering will focus attention on history, power, sovereignty and the forces shaping contemporary African politics. The occasion brings together four confirmed guest speakers, a hosting and technical team, and hospitality partners, with Podium International Events providing the event planning and coordination.
The event’s independent identity matters. Geopolitics with Oladimeji Bolarinwa is a distinct public-discussion brand. Its founder’s other civic affiliations do not make those organisations the organisers of this programme.
Oladimeji Bolarinwa: the founder behind the conversations
Oladimeji Bolarinwa, founder and convener of the Geopolitics platform, leads the gathering. An author, speaker and Yoruba nationalist, Bolarinwa writes about political strategy, identity, governance and international affairs, often examining how developments within Nigeria relate to wider currents across West Africa.
Bolarinwa is also President of Think Yoruba First, a separate organisation. That position is part of his biography; it is not the identity of Friday’s event. His published Geopolitics commentary in The Yoruba Times addresses regional interests, historical forces and the intersection of domestic and international politics.
His book, Why I Don’t Believe in “One” Nigeria, reflects his engagement with debates about national identity and political arrangements. Its arguments are the author’s own, and the London programme provides a wider setting for examining such questions from different perspectives. The event publicity also points to the historical legacies of the Songhai and Oyo empires as a way into discussions about regional influence and governance.
Why the history of West Africa remains relevant
The Songhai Empire, whose influence expanded markedly during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, was associated with important centres of trade, scholarship and political administration. The Oyo Empire was likewise a major force in Yoruba and regional history, with an influential system of government, commerce and military organisation. Their experiences illuminate how institutions, resources and alliances shaped political power long before the modern boundaries of West African states.
Looking at these histories alongside contemporary geopolitics creates room to discuss how states pursue security, how regional relationships evolve and how identity interacts with questions of public authority. Such connections are especially pertinent to audiences in the African diaspora who follow developments in their countries of heritage while participating in public life abroad.
Four invited speakers bring additional perspectives
Alagba Oluwole Ajala is among the confirmed guest speakers. His participation adds to the range of voices assembled for a conversation centred on history, regional affairs and the future of West Africa. The organisers have not announced a separate title for his contribution, and no unverified professional biography is being attributed to him.
Rt. Hon. Lanre Laoshe is also confirmed to participate. His preferred title and the spelling of his name have been expressly confirmed for the programme. His presence broadens a discussion concerned with public affairs and the relationship between political institutions and society. The subject of his individual remarks has not been supplied.
Dr. Gbenga Fagborun joins the advertised speaker line-up. He is included among the invited participants whose contributions will form part of the wider conversation about historical experience and the region’s current challenges. The event team has not supplied a verified personal biography or a specific presentation topic.
Mr Sahori Gamez completes the four named guest speakers. His participation brings another perspective to an event designed around discussion rather than a single presentation. As with the other contributors, the detailed programme and the precise subject of his address have not been provided for publication.
The four speakers appear alongside the founder and host in the approved collective “1 Day to Go” promotional image accompanying this report. Separate individual speaker images have not been supplied for this article.
Podium International Events: planning and coordination
While Bolarinwa is the founder of the Geopolitics platform, Podium International Events is the company entrusted with planning and coordinating the London occasion. Its role brings together the practical work behind the public programme, from coordinating participants and publicity to helping prepare arrangements for speakers and guests.
Such work often sits behind the scenes, but it is essential to the successful delivery of a public event. In this case, the planning company provides organisational support for the founder’s vision while working alongside the designated host, technical personnel, welfare team and hospitality providers.
Coach Titi Aboyade-Cole: host and event coordinator
Coach Titi Aboyade-Cole is the CEO of Podium International Events and represents Podium. She will serve as the Host and Event Coordinator. Her responsibilities combine the visible task of hosting the gathering with the coordination needed to move a multi-speaker programme through its stages. Her team will ensure guest experience and support delivery on the day.
From welcoming guests to connecting the various parts of the programme, the host’s role provides continuity. Her recognition in the event publicity also reflects the contribution of professional event coordination to the wider presentation of the occasion.
Àníkẹ́ Akanbi: virtual host
Àníkẹ́ Akanbi has been named as the Virtual Host, supporting the online-facing aspect of the event’s presentation. Her role is distinct from the in-person host and gives the programme a designated point of support for virtual engagement and related hosting arrangements.
Janet Akinlotan: technical director
Janet Akinlotan is the event’s Technical Director. In a programme involving multiple participants and presentation needs, technical coordination is vital to keeping the proceedings organised. Her designated role recognises the expertise and attention required to support the programme’s technical delivery.
Bukky Adeniji: welfare support
Bukky Adeniji is responsible for Welfare Support, a function focused on the practical care and assistance of those involved in the gathering. Welfare support is an important part of creating an orderly and welcoming experience for contributors and guests, even when much of the work happens away from the stage.
Yummy Bukky Catering: meal sponsor
Hospitality is also receiving dedicated support. Yummy Bukky Catering is the event’s official Meal Sponsor, contributing to the provision of meals for the occasion. The company’s contribution forms part of the arrangements that help make the event welcoming for its participants and guests.
Honourably Handled: finger foods caterer
Honourably Handled has been engaged as the Finger Foods Caterer. With the business tagline “Your Event, Our Pride”, its contribution complements the meal sponsorship and recognises the importance of hospitality within the event programme.
Recognising the meal sponsor and the finger foods caterer separately ensures that each business receives credit for its specific contribution rather than disappearing into a general acknowledgement of event supporters.
Friday’s venue and attendance information
Geopolitics with Oladimeji Bolarinwa takes place on Friday, 6 November 2026, starting at 5:00 p.m. at St Pancras Community Association, 67 Plender Street, London NW1 0LB. The event is advertised as an in-person conversation on global affairs, and the Eventbrite listing provides attendance information.
From the founder and invited speakers to the host, event planning company, virtual host, technical director, welfare support team and hospitality partners, the arrangements reflect a collective effort. With tomorrow’s start approaching, the independent Geopolitics platform is preparing to bring its London audience together for a discussion of the region’s history and the questions shaping West Africa’s future.
