New ICAN president targets governance reforms

  The 62nd President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Hajia Queensley Sofuratu Seghosime, yesterday unveiled a nine-point agenda centred on digital transformation, professional excellence, ethics, sustainability and stronger engagement in national development. Speaking at her investiture ceremony at the ICAN Secretariat in Lagos, on Tuesday, Seghosime said her administration would be […]

 

The 62nd President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Hajia Queensley Sofuratu Seghosime, yesterday unveiled a nine-point agenda centred on digital transformation, professional excellence, ethics, sustainability and stronger engagement in national development.
Speaking at her investiture ceremony at the ICAN Secretariat in Lagos, on Tuesday, Seghosime said her administration would be guided by the nine pillars of “WE ARE ICAN,” a vision aimed at repositioning the institute and the accounting profession for the future.
“ICAN must not merely respond to change. ICAN must lead change,” she declared.
She stressed that the institute would strengthen its role in promoting accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
“We will continue strategic public-interest leadership. Through research, advocacy and thought leadership, we will advance accountability, champion transparency, fiscal responsibility, sound governance and national development,” she said.
According to her, ICAN would deepen its contribution to public policy and strengthen its Accountability Index as part of efforts to influence governance reforms.
A major plank of her agenda is digital transformation and preparing members for emerging technologies.
“We will reinvent the profession through digital transformation. Artificial intelligence, data analytics and emerging technologies are reshaping the world,” Seghosime said.
“We shall equip our members and ensure our systems remain at the forefront of innovation and global influence.”
The new president also pledged to expand ICAN’s international reach through stronger partnerships with professional bodies, regulators, academic institutions and development organisations.

 

“We will expand strategic partnerships. We shall deepen engagement with international professional bodies, development institutions, regulators, universities and strategic partners to shape global conversations about the future of the profession and ensure that the voice of ICAN continues to be heard,” she said.

 

On professional development, Seghosime said the institute would modernise learning frameworks and pursue the establishment of an executive business school.

 

She also promised to widen access to the profession by expanding opportunities for students, women and disadvantaged groups, while strengthening ICAN’s presence across Africa.

 

Seghosime further pledged to promote sustainability and responsible business practices among members.

 

“We will champion sustainability and value creation. We shall promote ESG reporting, integrated reporting, sustainable finance and responsible business practices. Our members must become leaders in creating long-term value for organisations and society.”

 

On member welfare, she said ICAN membership must remain both prestigious and rewarding.

 

She identified ethics and integrity as the foundation of the profession and promised stricter compliance and continuous ethics education.

 

In his valedictory address, the 61st ICAN President, Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya, highlighted significant achievements recorded during his tenure, including the establishment of the ICAN Business School aimed at enhancing postgraduate certification opportunities for both members and non-members.

 

Yahaya said the initiative was designed to strengthen professional competence and prepare accountants for the evolving demands of the global business environment.

 

He also identified the empowerment of Small and Medium Practitioners (SMPs) as one of the major accomplishments of his administration.

 

According to him, the institute established the ICAN SMP Academy to improve technical competence, practice quality and long-term sustainability of small and medium accounting firms through training, mentorship, induction programmes and continuous professional development.

 

He added that the institute reviewed professional fee structures and advocated greater recognition of SMPs as critical contributors to economic development, transparency and accountability.

 

In separate goodwill messages, representatives of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Edo State counterpart, Monday Okpebholo; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, represented by his daughter, Fatima Dangote; and former governors of Ogun and Edo states, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, saluted the new president’s diligence, professionalism and no-nonsense approach to duty, and expressed confidence that she would build on the achievements of the institute over the next year.