The new president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Haruna Yahaya, has vowed to deliver digital transformation, global certification pathways, and youth empowerment.
He recently pledged all of the above as part of his 10-point agenda while in office.
Speaking during his acceptance speech as the 61st president of ICAN, Haruna said that Nigeria cannot be left behind as the world evolves with digital transformation.
He shared that the days of digital transformation being a strategic option are long gone, stressing that it has become the standard everyone must aspire to.
According to him, the certification process that births the Chartered Accountants of tomorrow must undergo a digital revolution, the same way commerce, education, and communication have done in recent years.
“The world is racing forward on the wings of digital innovation—and we must not be left behind. In today’s fast-evolving landscape, digital transformation is no longer a strategic option; it is an existential imperative. Just as commerce, education, and communication have undergone sweeping digital revolutions, so too must the certification process that moulds the Chartered Accountants of tomorrow. During this presidential year, we are embarking on a bold and forward-looking journey to fully digitise the ICAN examination process. This transformation will be executed in carefully designed phases, beginning from the November 2025 Diet,” he said.
Boosting ICAN’s appeal to younger Nigerians, Haruna stated that during his time in office, the institute would work on empowering Gen Zs through volunteer opportunities, leadership roles, and youth-led panels at conferences.
He concluded by saying that he’ll ensure every ICAN member is equipped to not just survive, but also thrive and lead.
“In this presidential year, we will position ICAN as a tech-forward, purpose-driven, and inclusive institute, where professionalism meets innovation and legacy meets lived experience. We will adopt a digital-first approach in our communication, student support, and content delivery – using platforms and styles that resonate with the rhythm of the new generation.
This year, we shall revitalise the Continual Professional Development by offering modules on emerging trends in the accounting profession such as technology adoption, changing work environment, cybersecurity and risk management, sustainability and climate change, talent acquisition and retention, data analytics, etc. We are not just offering courses – we are building capacity for future-ready leadership. We will also forge strategic partnerships with employers across industries, public and private, to bridge the gap between learning and earning, between certification and contribution. These alliances will provide direct pipelines to opportunity through internships, job placements, mentorship, and project-based engagements.
Together, we shall co-develop specialised certifications in high-demand areas such as forensic accounting, sustainability reporting and assurance, and digital transformation, ensuring that our members are not only professionally grounded but globally competitive. These pathways will offer ICAN members dual advantages: world-class credentials and access to international opportunities, not as job seekers, but as solution providers,” he added.
