It is ever worthy to celebrate the life, works, and times of great men. Not only that they have done good deeds, in their lifetime, but that their good deeds are blessings to generations after them. In the words of the book of Ecclesiasticus (Sirach: 44:1-15), “…let us praise illustrious men… Some… were intelligent advisers… Others directed the people by their advice, and by the wise words of their teaching… And were the glory of their day. Some of them left a name behind them, so that their praises are still sung… whose good works have not been forgotten… their name lives on for all generations.The people will proclaim their wisdom, the assembly will celebrate their praises.”
I feel therefore, a necessity laid upon me, as another great man of faith, Apostle Paul would put it, to pay tribute to the enduring legacy of Professor Emeritus Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje, renowned geographer, scholar, mentor, and advocate for sustainable urban and environment development. I shall do this under the ‘2025/2026 Akin Mabogunje Legacy Project’ that explores in a series of articles, facets of his bequest to posterity.
The quality and characteristics of Mabogunje’s legacy are multifaceted: they reflect both the foundation of his being, and the embodiment of the depth and flowering of his life’s work. The ‘2025/2026 Akin Mabogunje Legacy Project’ will examine the essence of Professor Mabogunje’s impact and influence, while also delving into the hidden treasures of his contributions that, though not immediately apparent, are no less significant or notable from a legacy perspective.
The first three-part series introduces readers to the quality and characteristics of Mabogunje’s legacy, restating much of what has already been covered broadly in the press and scholarly publications. Subsequent series will build on this foundation, exploring the depths of his contributions, both latent and manifest.
As we countdown to commemorate the third anniversary of Professor Mabogunje’s passing, we cannot but recall and acknowledge his remarkable life, work, and ideals, all of which have left an indelible mark on Nigeria, Africa, and the world. Two more articles will run this year till August, the month he translated into divinity, and five more will run in 2026. This series of articles will delve into the various facets of his life, career, and work, showcasing his groundbreaking contributions to Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, and environment development.
Being a former student, research assistant, advisory associate, and friend of Professor Mabogunje, I am honored to reflect on and share my thoughts on the remarkable life and legacy of one of the ‘illustrious men’ in his calling, and in the world.
A visionary leader
Akin Mabogunje’s vision for Nigeria, as shared with the Late Professor Ojetunji Aboyade and outlined in the Second National Development Plan (1970-1974), shifted later in his career toward creating inclusive cities that drive urbanisation and development in Africa through geography and policy. Through his pioneering work, Professor Mabogunje demonstrated a deep understanding of the complex relationships between human and environmental systems. His commitment to academic excellence, innovative problem-solving, and collaborative leadership has inspired generations of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners.
Exploring his legacy
I shall explore different aspects of Professor Mabogunje’s life and legacy, under three broad topics namely, his ‘Academic Pursuits’ including his educational background, research interests, and notable publications that have shaped the field of Geography and beyond. His ‘Contributions to Development’, will examine work on urbanisation, regional development, and environment management highlighting especially, his innovative approaches to complex development challenges.
Lastly, the piece on ‘Leadership and Mentorship’, will showcase his intrinsic archetypal leadership qualities, and his leadership roles in national and international organisations. Additionally, I shall discuss his mentorship of students and young professionals who have gone on to make significant contributions in their fields.
All things considered, I dare to posit that the enduring legacy of Mabogunje’s is an inevitable product –should I say outcome – of his spiritual being, his personal values, in sum his worldview, as extensively articulated in his 2011 autobiography “Measures of Grace.”
The Development Ethos of Professor Emeritus Akin Mabogunje: An Intersection of the Developmental State and the Development Process
Professor Emeritus Akin Mabogunje, armed as it were with his development ethos, left an indelible mark on Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large. The ‘Mabogunje development ethos’, rooted in the intersection of the developmental state and the development process within the context of spatiality, has been a guiding force in his work and legacy.
The developmental state: Foundation for development
The ‘developmental state’ is a concept that refers to a government or society that is proactive in promoting economic development and social welfare. This type of state is characterised by a strong, autonomous, and capable bureaucracy that is able to guide the development process.
The developmental state is not just a passive provider of public goods and services but an active participant in the development process, working closely with the private sector and civil society to achieve development goals. In respect of Nigeria and Africa, the developmental state is crucial for achieving sustainable development. Many African countries find it difficult to achieve economic development and render social welfare due to weak institutions, corruption, and lack of capacity. The ‘developmental state’ concept offers a framework to address these challenges and promote development.
The development process: A focus on spatiality
The development process, as conceived by Mabogunje, is not just a linear process of economic growth but is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that involves the transformation of societies and economies over time. This process is shaped by a range of factors – economic, social, political, and environmental. Spatiality, or the spatial dimension of development, is a critical aspect of the development process.
It is the way in which development processes are shaped by the spatial organisation of societies and economies. Mabogunje’s work highlighted the importance of spatiality in understanding developmental processes. He argued that development is not merely a linear process of economic growth, but a complex and multifaceted one that involves the transformation of societies and economies over time. Spatiality is critical in this process, as it shapes the way in which development processes unfold and it must be must be taken into account in promoting development.
The Intersection of the developmental state and the development process
The intersection of the developmental state and the development process within the context of spatiality offers a powerful framework for understanding development and promoting sustainable development. It highlights the importance of a strong and capable state in promoting development, while also recognising the complexity and multifaceted nature of the development process.
As we reflect on his remarkable life and achievements, Mabogunje’s development ethos reminds us of the importance of a strong and capable state in promoting development, while also recognising the complexity and multifaceted nature of the development process. His legacy will no doubt continue to inspire and influence future scholars, policymakers, and practitioners.
Mabogunje’s vision of an accessible ‘Development Finance Architecture’ for a First World Nigeria
Professor Mabogunje was not a finance expert, but he engaged with me over a decade about the nature, pattern and process of infrastructure for finance and credit suited for a first World Nigeria. I shared with him my knowledge of the Development Finance Architecture that operates in most first world countries similar to roads and bridges that facilitate flow of transportation. He caught the vision and promoted this perspective in the context of many of his public policy projects and assignments.
The financial architecture of a nation plays a vital role in facilitating economic growth and overall development. Mabogunje understood that Nigeria’s aim to become a First World country is closely tied to its ability to create an accessible development finance architecture.
This architecture is critical in solving the problems of providing credit to Nigerian farmers, households, and entrepreneurs in cities and urban areas. Similar to roads and bridges, finance requires its own infrastructure to facilitate the flow and distribution, especially supply of credit to various markets of borrowers and producers.
The primary purpose of the financial system is to bring together borrowers and lenders. This is facilitated by the two components of the financial structure: financial institutions and financial markets. These components work together to maintain a competitive edge, even as the one strengthens the performance of the other. In a well-performing financial system, the various functions are executed by the entity best- positioned or most competent for them.
The financial system is increasingly moving toward greater function specialisation, with institutions developing innovative and customised financial solutions for the marketplace. This trend is driven by the search for efficiency and cost reduction. Consolidation of institutions is also becoming more prevalent, motivated by the desire for an economy of scale that will reduce the cost of servicing customers.
One path to lower financing costs is through the development of equity financing. However, this requires overcoming the obstacle of information asymmetry that makes it difficult for investors to make informed decisions.The complexity of modern economic and business activity has increased the variety of ways in which insiders can conceal company performance. It becomes difficult to access in the market, the true characteristics of and risks in products.
A well-functioning financial market is characterised by three desirable attributes: efficiency, liquidity, and depth. Efficiency refers to the ease with which transactions occur and the accuracy of prices.
Megbolugbe, a retired professor at Johns Hopkins University, is a former student, research assistant, and friend of Professor Mabogunje. He resides in the United States of America.
Liquidity refers to the ease with which assets can be transferred at a fair price. Depth refers to the presence of many buyers and sellers, facilitating large volumes of trades with minimal price swings.
Government role is crucial in the development and evolution of financial markets and institutions. Regulation is necessary to ensure the stability and integrity of the financial system. However, governments, markets, and institutions interact and affect each other’s actions, making it essential to consider the healthiness and stability of the overall financial architecture even as each plays its unique role.
A fundamental rethinking of the role of government in addressing public problems is underway everywhere in the modern world. Nigeria is no exception. It might be wise to revisit many of the contributions of Professor Mabogunje. The tools of public action have proliferated, but the basic regulatory framework remain relevant and government is increasingly using indirect tools, such as social regulation, contracting, and loan guarantees, to achieve their objectives. This changing role of government has made analysis of a country’s financial architecture more complicated; a broader framework is now called for, one that considers the interplay between public and private sectors.
To create a first-world Nigeria requires a well-functioning financial architecture that facilitates access to credit for farmers, households, and entrepreneurs. This architecture must be characterised by efficiency, liquidity, and depth, with a strong and capable government playing a regulatory role. By understanding the complex interplay between financial institutions, markets, and government, Nigeria can create a financial system that supports sustainable economic growth and development.
As mentee and friend of Professor Mabogunje, and now a retired professor from Johns Hopkins University, I am honored to share my thoughts on him. I invite my readers to join me in subsequent articles, to celebrate the life and legacy of Professor Emeritus Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje, an illustrious citizen of the world.
