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

He is a distinguished chartered accountant, economist, financial management specialist, and university administrator with over three decades of experience in higher education administration, public financial management, taxation, governance, and human capital development.
Following the successful completion of his tenure as Bursar and Chief Financial Officer of the University of Lagos (2011–2017)—a principal officer position—Dr. Odekunle was redeployed to HRDC, where he provides strategic leadership and oversees capacity-building programmes through the design and delivery of executive education, management development, professional certification, and workforce development initiatives, while fostering partnerships with government agencies, professional bodies, industry, and international organizations.

As Bursar, Dr. Odekunle championed major financial management reforms that strengthened internal controls, modernized accounting systems, enhanced investment management, and improved operational efficiency. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Association of Bursars of Nigerian Universities (ABNU), contributing to the advancement of financial management practices across the Nigerian university system. Between 2017 and 2018, he served as Special Adviser (Revenue) to the Honourable Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he contributed to national revenue enhancement initiatives and public financial management reforms.

Dr. Odekunle has also made significant contributions to higher education governance and institutional development. He has served as a consultant on selection panels for the appointment of university bursars; a member of visitation panels to public and private universities; and a resource person and paper presenter at strategic planning retreats and leadership development programmes, for universities and other public institutions. An accomplished scholar and facilitator, Dr. Odekunle has published articles in reputable academic journals and contributed chapters to scholarly books in the fields of economics, public finance, taxation, governance, and higher education management.

He has trained and mentored senior executives, finance professionals, academics, and administrators through numerous executive education and capacity-building programmes.

Dr. Odekunle holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Benin and Master's and Doctoral degrees in Economics from the University of Lagos. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTN), a Certified Trainer of the Centre for Management Development (CMD), and a licensed Business Development Service Provider (BDSP) accredited by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Dr. Odekunle is widely respected for his commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation in leadership, and for his enduring contributions to financial management, institutional governance, executive education, and capacity development in Nigeria. His professional approach combines rigorous financial expertise with practical governance solutions aimed at building resilient and sustainable institutions capable of delivering long-term value and impact.