The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) joined millions of professionals worldwide to celebrate International Accounting Day 2025, with the South-West regional event held at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos. The gathering brought together ICAN members, students, and academics to honour the vital role of accountants in fostering transparency, accountability, and good governance across public and private sectors.
Representing ICAN President Mallam Haruna Yahaya, the immediate past president, Chief DCS Alaribe, commended the over five million accountants globally, describing them as the “unsung heroes” sustaining the financial integrity of organisations, governments, and communities. He traced the roots of the profession to Luca Pacioli’s groundbreaking 1494 publication on double-entry bookkeeping, which became the bedrock of modern accounting practice. Yahaya noted that long before artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, the meticulous work of accountants had been instrumental in driving progress through precision, honesty, and discipline.
Yahaya lauded ICAN’s 67,000 members for upholding professionalism and ethical standards, stating that their integrity continues to sustain public confidence in Nigeria’s economy. He also recognised the contributions of global and regional accounting bodies including the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), and the Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA) for promoting sound governance and accountability worldwide. “When diligence meets discipline, greatness is inevitable,” Yahaya remarked. “Together, we must continue to build a profession and a nation anchored in accountability, innovation, and trust.”
In his remarks, Dr Fadipe Adeniyi Olubunmi, Dean of the School of Management and Business Studies at YABATECH and a member of the ICAN Council, expressed pride that the college hosted this year’s commemoration. He noted that approximately 80 per cent of lecturers in the Accountancy Department are ICAN fellows, ensuring alignment with global best practices and emerging digital trends shaping the profession. Dr Fadipe also celebrated the achievement of two students who recently qualified as ICAN members while still in school an accomplishment he said reflected YABATECH’s academic strength and professional rigor.
Highlighting institutional successes, Dr Fadipe disclosed that YABATECH’s Accountancy Department earned second place in a regional competition organised by the University of Lagos, securing a ₦150,000 prize as the only polytechnic represented. He further revealed that some students recently participated in an industrial training programme in Japan, a testament to the college’s growing international recognition. He commended the leadership of Rector Dr Adedotun Ibrahim Abdul for promoting collaboration between academia and industry through the creation of a Linkage Directorate, bridging theoretical learning and real-world application.
Addressing students, Dr Abdul encouraged them to take charge of their future and embrace resilience in pursuit of success. “Your fate lies in your hands,” he said. “Don’t leave it to anyone else. Failure may come, but it should never define you. After every hardship comes ease.” He described the students as the next generation of accountants who will underpin financial stability in Nigeria and globally.
Dr Abdul expressed appreciation to ICAN for hosting the celebration at YABATECH and reaffirmed the college’s commitment to excellence and ethics. “On behalf of our Council, faculty, and students, YABATECH will continue to make the accounting profession proud,” he pledged.
