The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has made history by inducting 1,600 accounting technicians during the 63rd Accounting Technicians Scheme, West Africa (ATSWA) Induction Ceremony held at the ICAN Centre in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
This latest cohort surpassed the previous record of 1,303 inductees recorded in July 2025, making it the largest group of accounting technicians ever inducted by the Institute since its establishment. The historic ceremony attracted senior officials of the Institute, past presidents, professional colleagues, families, and friends of the inductees from different parts of Nigeria and across West Africa.
The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, and Mallam Tijjani Isa, FCA, the 58th President of ICAN, who chaired the occasion. Other members of the ICAN Council and former presidents of the Institute, who have contributed to the growth of the accounting profession over the decades, were also present.
The President and Chairman of the Council of ICAN, Mallam Haruna Yahaya, delivered the admission address. He charged the newly inducted members to uphold the responsibilities and ethical standards associated with the Accounting Technicians Scheme qualification. He described the induction not as a mere ceremony, but as a defining stage in their professional journey.
According to Mallam Yahaya, the inductees were not just receiving certificates, but inheriting a legacy built on integrity, discipline, accountability, and service across West Africa. He noted that the Accounting Technicians Scheme, West Africa, under the Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA), remains one of the most robust and standardised qualification frameworks in the region.
He explained that the framework ensures that every certified accounting technician possesses the technical competence and professional credibility required to serve organisations with precision, accuracy, and transparency. At the end of the ceremony, the newly inducted members increased the total number of ICAN-certified accounting technicians to 35,181.
The inductees also gained formal membership of the West Africa-wide Association of Accounting Technicians under ABWA, giving them professional recognition and mobility across countries in the sub-region. This development is expected to strengthen the accounting and financial reporting profession across West Africa.
Mallam Yahaya urged the new members not to become complacent after achieving the ATS qualification. He warned that the ceremony marked the beginning, not the end, of their professional calling. He reminded them that accounting remains the language of business and that fluency without integrity would only create noise.
He charged them to make integrity their signature and competence their voice, while embracing lifelong learning in response to emerging technologies, digital accounting systems, and evolving financial regulations. He also encouraged the inductees to take advantage of exemptions offered by the ATS qualification and pursue full chartered accountant status under ICAN without delay.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed also addressed the newly inducted technicians, stressing the critical role they play in improving organisational performance and financial accountability. He described accounting technicians as custodians of financial records and key contributors to sound decision-making processes in both the public and private sectors.
He emphasised that professionalism, transparency, and integrity would remain their most valuable assets in practice. He urged them to adopt a service-driven mindset and continuous learning to improve their technical capacity while delivering real value to the institutions and communities they serve.
The Corps Marshal also linked financial accountability to broader national development issues, including road safety and public fund management. He pointed out that road crashes in Nigeria, especially during festive periods, often result in significant loss of lives and economic resources. He called on accounting professionals to ensure that funds approved for vehicle maintenance, safety inspections, and driver training are properly applied and monitored.
The ceremony concluded with the official Oath of Allegiance, which formally admitted the 1,600 graduates into the accounting profession. Families, friends, and professional colleagues celebrated the milestone, marking a major moment for ICAN and the growth of the accountancy profession in Nigeria and across the West African region.
