Inspire Africa Series is a knowledge sharing platform documenting the lived experiences, values, and strategies of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries.Founded by Tokunbo Akerele, the series captures thoughtful, in depth conversations with leaders across culture, business, policy, and various industries. Each episode serves as part of a growing archive, created to inspire, empower, and mentor emerging leaders through reflection, honesty, and long term thinking.This channel exists as a public record of African leadership journeys preserving insight, experience, and perspective for current
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Funke Osibodu currently serves as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of University of
Lagos Business School in Nigeria; as a member of the Board of Trustees, Elizade University, Nigeria; and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)- a not-for-profit, non-partisan private sector organization with the mission to promote and champion positive sustainable reform of the Nigerian economy.
She was also a former Vice Chairman of NESG. She also recently became a non-executive director of Fidelity Bank, Ghana.
She has also served as Board Director and Chairman of the Board of several national and international organizations doing business in multiple industries including in insurance, banking, payment systems, pension funds, stock brokering, trusteeship, and real estate development. From 2009 to 2012, some of these non-executive directorship positions were in African Finance Corporation (AFC); HFC Bank, Ghana (now Republic Bank, Ghana), Union Bank (United Kingdom) ; and from 2015 to 2024, she was an independent external director of Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund (SNCPFA) .
As a working executive, she has had more than three decades of executive leadership experience in various banks including Citibank and three other banks with African and International footprints- MBC International Bank Ltd as Chief Executive Officer –(CEO) from 1996 - 2002, Ecobank (CEO) from 2002 – 2006 and Union Bank PLC (CEO) from. 2009 – 2012. She was also the CEO of a privatized electricity distribution company (BEDC Electricity PLC) from 2013 - 2022.
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13 Aug 2026
In Conversation With Olatowun Candide-Johnson
Olatowun Candide-Johnson is a highly accomplished lawyer and executive with decades of experience in corporate and commercial law, governance, and strategic business development across the legal, shipping & logistics, and oil & gas sectors. Her distinguished career includes several leadership roles at TotalEnergies, where she held key positions both in Nigeria and internationally. At TotalEnergies Upstream Companies Nigeria, she served as General Counsel and Executive General Manager of the Management Services Division— overseeing Legal, Audit, Insurance, and Anti-Corruption Compliance functions.
She was also the Chief Compliance Officer for the company’s upstream
operations in Nigeria. Her international tenure includes three years in Paris as Project Director within the Affaires Nouvelles Division at the group’s headquarters. In 2016, she earned the prestigious TRIUM Global Executive MBA, jointly awarded by NYU Stern, the London School of Economics, and HEC Paris. In 2018, Olatowun transitioned from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, founding GAIA AFRICA—a pioneering private business club dedicated to Africa’s top female decision-makers. GAIA offers a trusted, empowering space
for women leaders to connect for business, collaborate, invest, and support each other through curated events, a learning platform, partnerships, peer mentorship
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13 Aug 2026
In Conversation with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is a soldier, Nigerian politician, statesman, nationalist, farmer, and former army general who served as Nigeria's Military Head of State from 1976 to 1979 and later as its president from 1999 to 2007. As a statesman he was called upon by the international community to serve as co-chair of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons’ Group constituted to work on negotiated settlement or the ending of the South African Apartheid policy in 1985. He was also a candidate for the office of the Secretary -General of the United Nations in 1991.
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13 Aug 2026
In Conversation with Dorothy Atake
Mrs Dorothy Atake is a lawyer by Profession. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English before proceeding to study law both at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992. She had a brilliant career in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria spanning 35 years. A highly motivated professional with exemplary leadership skills, Dorothy Atake started her career in the Oil and Gas industry at Ashland oil Nig company Ltd. and later continued at Addax Petroleum Nig Ltd. At Addax Petroleum she held several positions which include, General Manager Human Resources and Administrative services, Community Relations, Security and External Affairs.She was the first female General Manager in the history of Addax Petroleum and also the first female Executive Director in four of Addax/Sinopec subsidiary companies.
Dorothy retired from Addax/Sinopec in 2018 after 35 meritorious years of service.
Dorothy remains passionate about people development and dedicates most of her time in retirement to mentoring young and upcoming professionals who wish to build a career in the oil and gas industry.
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13 Aug 2026
In Conversation With Kunle Elebute
Mr. Kunle Elebute is an experienced Chartered Accountant, Financial/Management Consultant, Non-Executive Director/Board Committee Chair gained over a period of 40 years serving clients in the private/public sectors in Nigeria, West and Sub-Sahara Africa.
While at KPMG he led several business units, Financial Services Audit, Privatization & Emerging Markets, and Financial Advisory Services & Advisory Services which comprised Deal Advisory, Management Consulting, Risk Consulting and Information Technology Advisory.
He also held a number of KPMG leadership roles which included Senior Partner/CEO of KPMG Nigeria, Chairman of KPMG West Africa & Chairman of KPMG Africa. In addition, he served on the Boards of KPMG Europe, Middle East & Africa and KPMG Global Board including the Board Audit Committee.
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13 Aug 2026
In Conversation With Yewande Zaccheaus
Mrs Yewande Zaccheaus is the Founder and Chairman of Eventful Ltd, a leading event planning and consulting company in Nigeria.
She studied Law at the University of Lagos and thereafter obtained an LL.M from Cambridge University, England. After a successful career in law and banking, Yewande established her own business, Eventful Ltd in 2002.
She retired in March 2021 after 19 years of leading the company and handed over to a successor who is poised to take the company to a higher level. Eventful is the pioneer and a market leader in the events and venue management and consulting business in Nigeria.
Yewande is a founding Trustee and a past Chairperson of Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ), an organization established with the objective of being the catalyst that elevates the profile of women in management, business, and the public sector.
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6 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Nicky Gumbel
Inspire Africa Series, Tokunbo Akerele sits down with Nicky Gumbel to document his journey and lived experience. Nicky Gumbel, Author, Chairman Alpha International, former Vicar, Holy Trinity Brompton. This episode forms part of the Inspire Africa Series archive, a collection of conversations meant to inspire younger leaders through the lived experiences of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries.
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6 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Chris Okeke
Inspire Africa Series, Tokunbo Akerele sits down with Chris Okeke to document his journey and lived experience. Chris Okeke, Lawyer, Farmer, Diplomat, and multiple board director. This episode forms part of the Inspire Africa Series archive, a collection of conversations meant to inspire younger leaders through the lived experiences of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries.
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6 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Richard Akerele
Inspire Africa Series, Tokunbo Akerele sits down with Richard Akerele to document his journey and lived experience. Richard Akerele, Chairman Newrest (ASL) Nigeria Limited, The Company operates an inflight catering facilities, lounges, and restaurants. Newrest ASL serves the aviation industry operating in Nigeria. This episode forms part of the Inspire Africa Series archive, a collection of conversations meant to inspire younger leaders through the lived experiences of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries.
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6 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Ademola Akinrele
Inspire Africa Series, Tokunbo Akerele sits down with Ademola Akinrele SAN to document his journey and lived experience. Ademola Akinrele SAN, Chairman Oando PLC and one of the sharpest legal minds in Nigeria. Got elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN at 38. This episode forms part of the Inspire Africa Series archive, a collection of conversations meant to inspire younger leaders through the lived experiences of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries.
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6 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Prince Albert Esiri
Inspire Africa Series, Tokunbo Akerele sits down with Prince Albert Esiri to document his journey and lived experience. Prince Esiri, an environmental conservationist, visionary leader and founder, Abraka Resort - located in Delta State, Nigeria, is a visionary eco-tourism destination that embodies sustainable living and environmental stewardship. Spanning over 100 acres of vibrant biodiversity, the resort safeguards the natural balance of the region’s flora, fauna, and water resources.This episode forms part of the Inspire Africa Series archive, a collection of conversations meant to inspire younger leaders through the lived experiences of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries Available on: YouTube · Spotify · Podcast platforms
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6 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Chief RC Okafor
Inspire Africa Series, Tokunbo Akerele sits down with Chief Okafor to document his journey and lived experience. Chief Okafor, founder of RCO properties and Co. established in 1978, a premier firm of Estate Surveyors and Valuers. This episode forms part of the Inspire Africa Series archive, a collection of conversations meant to inspire younger leaders through the lived experiences of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries Available on: YouTube · Spotify · Podcast platforms
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6 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Nadu Denloye
Inspire Africa Series, Tokunbo Akerele sits down with Dr Nadu Denloye, to document her journey and lived experience. Dr Denloye got a PhD in Electronic Engineering at the age of 25. Co-founder of the Telnet Group Nigeria. “Out of the Telnet Group evolved ipNX Nigeria Limited. Interswitch, Nigeria’s leading payment company, was birthed in Telnet”.This episode forms part of the Inspire Africa Series archive, a collection of conversations meant to inspire younger leaders through the lived experiences of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries. Available on: YouTube · Spotify · Podcast platforms
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6 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Atedo Peterside "ANAP"
Inspire Africa Series, Tokunbo Akerele sits down with Atedo Peterside, to document his journey and lived experience. Founded the Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited (IBTC), now called Stanbic IBTC in 1999 at the age of 33. He served as the Bank’s CEO till 2007. This episode forms part of the Inspire Africa Series archive, a collection of conversations meant to inspire younger leaders through the lived experiences of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries.
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6 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Hakeem “Keem” Belo‑Osagie
Inspire Africa Series, Tokunbo Akerele sits down with the original “whizkid” himself, Hakeem “Keem” BeloOsagie, to document his journey and lived experience. Acquired 51% of United Bank for Africa (UBA) for $15million in 1994 at the age of 39 and sold his stake for $250million in 2005. He played a pivotal role in bringing Etisalat (mobile phone operator) into the Nigerian market. This episode forms part of the Inspire Africa Series archive, a collection of conversations meant to inspire younger leaders through the lived experiences of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries. Available on: YouTube · Spotify · Podcast platforms
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6 Feb 2026
Inspire Africa Series
Welcome to Inspire Africa Series.
Inspire Africa Series is a knowledge sharing platform documenting the lived experiences, values, and strategies of Africa’s most accomplished visionaries.
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