Accountants charged to integrate ESG, sustainability reporting in practice

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has urged the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) to remain steadfast in its pursuit of professional excellence and to bridge the gap between corporate reporting and public value. Speaking through his deputy, Auwal Mohammed Jatau, at the 5th session of the 2025 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Programme […]

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has urged the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) to remain steadfast in its pursuit of professional excellence and to bridge the gap between corporate reporting and public value.

Speaking through his deputy, Auwal Mohammed Jatau, at the 5th session of the 2025 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Programme for the North East, held at the International Conference Centre in Bauchi, Governor Mohammed described the event’s theme, “Corporate Value Creation and Reporting,” as timely and intellectually engaging.

He emphasized that accountants today must go beyond managing financial records to becoming strategic partners in governance, development, and sustainable growth.

The governor commended ANAN for aligning corporate value creation with public value management, stressing the need for financial reporting to reflect not just fiscal performance, but broader societal impact, institutional accountability, and developmental relevance.

Governor Mohammed further posed critical questions on accountability, urging professionals to measure outcomes beyond financial terms. “How do investments in healthcare reduce maternal and child mortality? How do our spending on education decrease the number of out-of-school children? These are not just policy questions—they are accountability questions,” he stressed.

 

Earlier, ANAN President and Chairman of Council, Hajiya Zuwaira Talatu Kishimi, reiterated the importance of Public Value Management and the need for accountants to adopt ESG principles and sustainability reporting as central pillars of their work.

 

“As guardians of public resources, our statutory functions—planning, auditing, financial reporting, and risk management—must now incorporate cost-effectiveness, performance measurement, and sustainability,” she said.

 

She added that integrating ESG principles into financial practices reflects a commitment to transparency, accountability, and national development.

 

“It contributes to a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria,” she said.

 

Chairman of the MCPD Committee, Professor Hassan Ibrahim, noted that the programme is more than a statutory requirement—it is essential for staying relevant and effective in today’s rapidly evolving global environment.

 

“In an era of transformation and rising public expectations, accountants play a critical role in ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability in corporate value creation,” he said.

 

Professor Ibrahim emphasized the need for continuous learning, innovation, and ethical leadership, adding that the MCPD provides a platform for intellectual engagement, peer exchange, and empowerment for reform and service excellence in both public and private sectors.