Otunba Olufemi Salako, a publisher from Ilaro, Ogun State, has turned Triangle International Magazine into a meeting point for African leaders, institutions, and the diaspora in Britain. On April 2, 2026, the Great Hall at King's College London hosted a gathering of governors, a federal minister, business executives, academics, traditional leaders, and members of the African diaspora to mark the magazine's tenth anniversary. This event could easily have taken place in Abuja or Lagos, but Salako chose London, a city with a large African population and concentration of political, economic, academic, and professional networks.
Salako was born on October 8, 1980, in Ilaro, the historic Yewa town in Ogun State. He built his career through journalism, publishing, and public communication before transforming Triangle from a Nigerian publication into a platform with an increasingly international outlook. By 2023, Salako was operating from Manchester as the magazine expanded its presence in Britain, and by 2026, London had become central to its international identity. Salako's approach is to create spaces where diaspora professionals can engage policymakers, investors, and institutions in Nigeria.
The evolution of Triangle tells much of Salako's story. What began as a Nigerian media project has developed into a publication, awards platform, lecture series, and bridge between Nigeria and its diaspora. The Face of Africa Leadership Awards, now one of Triangle's most visible programs, has grown from a recognition program focused largely on Nigerian political figures into a broader platform celebrating leadership in governance, business, education, and public service. Past recipients and honorees have included figures such as the late South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The 2026 anniversary event brought together governors, ministers, business leaders, academics, and diaspora figures. The latest honors included Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Governor Hope Uzodimma, Governor Dauda Lawal, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and legal icon Afe Babalola, among other prominent Nigerians. Business leaders such as Kola Adesina of Sahara Group were also recognized, while Professor Emmanuel Ojo Ademola featured prominently in the program. The event demonstrated Salako's convening power, bringing together political leaders, business executives, academics, traditional institutions, and members of the diaspora.
Ahead of the 2026 ceremony, Salako traveled to Ile-Ife to present an invitation to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who endorsed the initiative and commended the organizers for projecting Africa positively. The symbolism was significant: a modern Nigerian media publisher operating internationally was connecting a traditional Yoruba institution in Nigeria with an African leadership platform hosted in one of Britain's most historic universities.
Salako's work is built on a broader philosophy that seeks to challenge the dominant narrative about Africa. For decades, international coverage of Africa has often been dominated by conflict, poverty, corruption, and crisis. Triangle has deliberately focused much of its attention on achievement in governance, business, law, education, culture, and public service. Salako has described the magazine's journey as a decade of "amplifying African excellence," telling stories, honoring achievement, and building bridges across nations.
Preparations are underway for the next edition of the African Leadership Awards, scheduled for April 2, 2027, at an Oxford University event venue. The ceremony will run from 2 pm to 8 pm and will be themed "Africa's Digital Renaissance: Leadership, Sovereignty, and the Rise of a New Civilizational Identity." The theme represents another expansion of the conversation Triangle is seeking to lead, moving from diaspora engagement and African excellence to technology and digital transformation.
Key points
- Otunba Olufemi Salako's Triangle International Magazine has become a platform for African leaders, institutions, and the diaspora to connect and engage.
- The magazine's tenth anniversary event in London brought together prominent Nigerians and international figures to celebrate African excellence.
- Salako's work seeks to challenge the dominant narrative about Africa by focusing on achievement and positive stories.
