PROFILE OF LATEEF ALANI ODEKUNLE, PhD, FCA, ACTI .

Executive Summary
Dr. Lateef Alani Odekunle is a distinguished professional with over three decades of expertise in accounting, finance, economics, public sector management, and institutional governance. Renowned for driving organizational transformation, he has consistently enhanced operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and institutional growth, particularly within the higher education sector. Currently, Dr. Odekunle serves as the Director and Head of the Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC) at the University of Lagos, overseeing the strategic design and execution of capacity-building programs aimed at strengthening workforce competencies and promoting institutional resilience. Having transitioned from a successful tenure as University Bursar, he exemplifies adaptability, strong leadership, and a commitment to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential.
Dr. Odekunle holds a BSc in Accounting (Second Class Upper Division) from the University of Benin and MSc and PhD degrees in Economics from the University of Lagos. He is widely recognized for his deep expertise in fiscal governance. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI). His certification as a Trainer from the Centre for Management Development (CMD) further demonstrates his dedication to capacity building and professional development.

Career and Accomplishments:
Dr. Odekunle joined the University of Lagos in 1996 as a Principal Accountant and has since built a distinguished career in financial management. In 2011, he was appointed Bursar and Chief Financial Officer, where he led the university's financial operations until 2017. During his tenure, he spearheaded key initiatives that transformed the institution’s financial management. His major accomplishments include:
 Expanding the University’s endowment fund by over 100%, ensuring long-term financial stability and growth.
 Reducing operational costs by 30% through robust cost-control measures and enhanced resource management strategies.
 Leading the transition to modern accounting systems (Sage Line 1000), significantly improving financial reporting accuracy and regulatory compliance.
 Introducing the Bursary Manual of Operations and overseeing a comprehensive review of the Handbook of Financial Regulations, streamlining internal processes, and improving governance.
 Advocating for the promotion and professional development of staff, resulting in the elevation of six colleagues to the rank of Deputy Bursar—a significant milestone for both the bursary and the university.

While serving as Bursar, Dr. Odekunle was elected Vice Chairman of the Association of Bursars of Nigerian Universities (ABNU) from 2012 to 2017, where he played a key role in facilitating the transition of Nigerian universities to the Treasury Single Account (TSA), ensuring compliance and improving financial governance across the higher education sector. His contributions also extended to risk management and the financial sustainability of the association.

National Service:
Upon the successful completion of his tenure as Bursar in 2017, Dr. Odekunle took a sabbatical to serve as Special Adviser (Revenue) to the Honourable Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria, from 2017 to 2018. In this capacity, he contributed to several critical national initiatives, including:
 Leading the Health-Pay Project, facilitating real-time revenue tracking across federal health institutions.
 Playing a key role in the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), ensuring financial accountability and compliance across federal ministries, departments, and agencies.
His strategic input in these initiatives significantly enhanced revenue optimization and financial oversight within Nigeria’s public sector.
 Furthermore, Dr. Odekunle has played a pivotal role in strengthening financial governance across Nigerian universities. He served on the Federal Government’s Visitation Panels to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (2021) and Caleb University, Imota (2019), focusing on improving institutional governance, ensuring financial sustainability, and fostering strategic oversight. As a consultant, he has also advised on the appointment of Bursars across several Nigerian universities, ensuring that competent financial leaders are recruited to maintain the fiscal integrity of these institutions.

Current Role & Academic Contributions: Since his return to the University of Lagos in 2019, Dr. Odekunle has served as the Director and Head of HRDC, where he oversees the development and implementation of capacity-building programs tailored to address emerging organizational needs.
His leadership has resulted in:
 The design and implementation of innovative training programs that address contemporary organizational challenges.
 The establishment of strategic partnerships with industry leaders and educational institutions, amplifying the HRDC’s reach and impact.
 The introduction of performance evaluation mechanisms to continuously monitor and improve the effectiveness of HRDC initiatives.

In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Odekunle is actively engaged in academia. He serves as a faculty member in Management Sciences, teaching at both the undergraduate and Master's levels in the Taxation program. His research interests focus on Budget, Public Debt, Industrial and Financial Economics. He is a founding member of the Centre for Economic Policy and Research (CEPAR) at the University of Lagos. His scholarly contributions span corporate governance and intellectual capital in Nigeria’s financial sector, with numerous publications in journals, books, and conference proceedings.

Professional Affiliations & Certifications:
 Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA)
 Associate, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI)
 Certified Trainer, Centre for Management Development (CMD)

Personal Life:
Dr. Odekunle is married and blessed with children and grandchildren. He continues to make significant contributions both to his professional field and the broader community, exemplifying a life dedicated to excellence, leadership, and the pursuit of continuous improvement.