Pr Viviane Ondoua: Critiques Cameroun Nominations, Demands Specialization

• Management expert Pr Viviane Ondoua criticized the appointment of individuals without specialized technical skills to strategic positions in Cameroon.
• Speaking on Vision 4 on September 27, 2026, she asserted that management is a science and cited examples like a history professor being named HR director.
• Pr Ondoua, founder of Obiv Solutions, argued that these unsuitable nominations weaken institutional performance and contribute to Cameroon's economic problems.
• She highlighted the need for alignment between political ambitions and economic intentions, questioning if trained individuals are placed in roles requiring their expertise.

She firmly articulated her view that management is a distinct science, asserting that individuals lacking appropriate technical specialization should not be appointed to leadership roles.

On September 27, 2026, during an appearance on Vision 4's "Club d'Élites" program, academic and management expert Pr Viviane Ondoua ignited a significant discussion regarding the professionalization of management and the governance of institutions in Cameroon. She firmly articulated her view that management is a distinct science, asserting that individuals lacking appropriate technical specialization should not be appointed to leadership roles. This critique by Pr Viviane Ondoua specifically targets the prevalent issues surrounding nominations politiques administratives in Cameroon, where suitability for a role is often overlooked.

Her position, while direct, is not intended to disparage any particular academic background, such as historians. Instead, the core of her argument focuses on the critical manque de spécialisation postes stratégiques, which she believes undermines effective governance. Pr Ondoua, a prominent voice in the discourse on professionnalisation management Cameroun, highlighted that effective leadership, project conceptualization, and human resource management all necessitate specific tools, established methodologies, and measurable indicators.

Pr Ondoua provided vivid examples to underscore her concerns about the lack of required compétences postes publics Cameroun. She questioned the practice of appointing a professor of history-geography to a director of human resources position, or a geographer to lead an IT-focused unit like the CJPES cell, noting that such an individual would not be an IT specialist. Furthermore, she pointed out instances where individuals without any background in project management are tasked with overseeing complex projects. These examples serve to illustrate her broader point that such appointments are not merely theoretical but represent a tangible reality within the country's institutional framework.

The founder of Obiv Solutions, Pr Ondoua, through her public statements, critiques what she identifies as a common practice of placing unsuitable profiles in strategic positions. She argues that this approach, which often disregards the need for specialized expertise, inevitably weakens the operational effectiveness and overall performance of both public and private institutions across the nation. Her observations highlight a systemic issue where the foundational requirements for effective management are frequently ignored during the appointment process.

According to Pr Viviane Ondoua, the consequences of these inappropriate nominations extend beyond mere operational inefficiencies, directly contributing to the nation's economic challenges. She revealed that a study conducted by her firm, Obiv Solutions, indicated that many economic problems often cited have significant political undercurrents. Pr Ondoua stressed that unless this issue is addressed from a political perspective, the same problems will persist for years to come.

She emphasized the crucial need for a cohesive alignment between political ambitions and economic intentions. Pr Ondoua questioned whether adequately trained individuals are actually being appointed to positions that genuinely require their specific skills, suggesting that, in many cases, appointees simply do not possess the necessary profile for the role. This Obiv Solutions critique nominations underscores a fundamental governance challenge that impacts Cameroon's long-term development.

This critique by Pr Viviane Ondoua highlights potential governance and operational risks for businesses and public entities in Cameroon. Lawyers and compliance officers should consider this context when advising on due diligence, public procurement, or assessing the operational integrity of institutions where unqualified appointments may lead to performance issues or compliance breaches.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun.