ICAN inducts 2,000 new chartered accountants
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THE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria on Wednesday welcomed over 2,000 new members in a grand induction ceremony at the ICAN Centre, Lagos, celebrating the next generation of the nation’s financial professionals.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement and pride as the newly inducted chartered accountants, dressed in crisp suits and formal attire, filed into the auditorium with family members and friends by their sides. Cameras flashed as parents and relatives beamed with pride, capturing a milestone many described as the culmination of years of rigorous study and sacrifice.
Addressing the gathering, ICAN President and Chairman of the Council, Mallam Haruna Yahaya, congratulated the inductees for their perseverance. He noted that the ceremony marked the addition of new members to a growing professional body, increasing the institute’s membership to 69,903.
“This moment is not just a milestone; it is a testament to your courage, your discipline, and your unwavering commitment to greatness,” Yahaya said, urging the new members to uphold integrity and exercise the utmost professionalism in handling sensitive financial information.
He highlighted the importance of ethical conduct, noting that a single lapse could have serious legal, financial, or commercial consequences. He also encouraged the inductees to embrace lifelong learning and join one of ICAN’s eight professional faculties to enhance their competence in specialised fields such as taxation, audit, corporate finance, and public financial management.
The Special Guest of Honour, Alhaji Suleiman Barau, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, congratulated both the ICAN leadership and the inductees. Barau stressed the critical role of accountants in strengthening governance and promoting transparency in both the corporate and public sectors.
“Professional accountants play a crucial role in national development by ensuring financial integrity and compliance,” Barau said. “Upholding ethical standards is therefore a critical part of your role in governance. Resist pressures that could compromise your professional conduct and act as essential whistleblowers to uphold public trust.”Barau also offered personal advice, urging the inductees to imbibe a “can-do spirit”, maintain integrity, set clear goals, and serve humanity through their professional success.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Star Prize for the best qualifying candidate, awarded to Emmanuel Oluwaseyi. Other prizes sponsored by firms and individuals were also acknowledged for promoting academic excellence.
The ceremony continued with the administration of the Oath of Allegiance, where inductees stood, raised their right hands, and pledged to perform their duties honestly and faithfully under the ICAN Act and rules of professional conduct. The formal swearing-in elicited applause from the audience as family members celebrated their loved ones’ achievements.
Yahaya acknowledged the role of key committees and officials in the successful organisation of the ceremony, including the Chairman of the Professional Examinations Committee, Chief Chibuzor Noel Anyanechi, and the 2nd Deputy Vice President and Chairman of the Membership Affairs Committee, Chief Oye Akinsulire, PhD, as well as the Induction Sub-Committee.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Chairman, Body of Past Presidents, Sir Herbert Agbebiyi, FCA; Vice President, Hajia Queensley Seghosime, mni, FCA; 1st Deputy Vice President, Dr Etofolam Osuji, mni, FCA; Immediate Past President, Chief DCS Alaribe, FCA; Honorary Treasurer, Mr Tajudeen Adewale Olayinka, FCA; and Registrar/Chief Executive, Lanre Olasunkanmi, PhD, FCA, among other council members, past presidents, and facilitators.
Yahaya reminded the new members that ICAN is a founding member of the International Federation of Accountants and other regional professional bodies, ensuring that they now belong to a global network of over five million accountants.
Rounding off the ceremony, Yahaya invoked the words of Winston Churchill: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
He formally welcomed the new members into full ICAN membership, encouraging them to pursue excellence, maintain ethical standards, and contribute positively to national development.
The event combined ceremony, celebration, and inspiration, highlighting ICAN’s continued role in producing competent, principled accountants who are poised to support transparency and good governance across Nigeria’s corporate and public sectors.
