The Chairman of Keystone Bank PLC, Lady Ada Chukwudozie, has called on newly inducted members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and digital competence in their careers.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at ICAN’s 75th induction ceremony held on Wednesday in Lagos, Lady Chukwudozie emphasised the importance of ethical leadership and innovation in strengthening Nigeria’s financial sector.
“Accountancy in Nigeria goes beyond the mere recording of financial transactions; it is the very foundation upon which financial integrity, economic transparency, and sound governance are built,” she said.
Delivering a speech titled ‘Financial Leadership for Sustainable Development: Best Practices and Future Directions’, the Keystone Bank Chairman, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi Zone, urged ICAN to address the widening digital skills gap in the profession.
“As of 2024, less than 12 per cent of accountants in Nigeria are trained in blockchain and auditing. This gap must close if we are to remain globally competitive,” she warned.
Lady Chukwudozie advocated for the integration of data analytics, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud-based platforms into ICAN’s curriculum and professional development programmes. She also called for a national digital competency framework in collaboration with NITDA and the Ministry of Communications to future-proof the accounting profession.
On ethical conduct, she highlighted the need for ICAN to sustain its zero-tolerance policy against misconduct. Citing a 2023 KPMG Nigeria survey which revealed that 42% of financial fraud cases involved collusion between internal staff and external consultants, she stressed the urgency of strengthening disciplinary mechanisms and celebrating ethical excellence.
The 60th President of ICAN, Davidson Alaribe, who led the induction of 1,851 new members comprised 53 per cent females and 47 per cent males encouraged the new chartered accountants to see their new status as a foundation for lifelong learning.
“Now that you have become chartered accountants, go beyond the ACA title. Continue developing yourself. This is just the beginning,” he said.
