10 Most Popular Chartered Accountants in Nigeria
The accounting profession in Nigeria is a noble profession among other careers as it deals with handling the financial records of any organisation.
In any top organisation with a large workforce, there is an accountant or some accountants in charge of keeping financial records, preparing payrolls, computing tax and communicating financial statements to owner of the business or board of directors as the case may be.
Before we proceed, I will briefly explain who an accountant is; an accountant is a practitioner of accounting or accountancy. In other words, an accountant is someone who carryout accounting activities. A Chartered accountant is a more professional version of an accountant because he or she has fulfilled the requirements by the relevant regulatory accounting bodies such as ICAN, ACCA, ANAN etc to be certified and be called a professional in the field of accounting.
In Nigeria, there are lots of accounting students in various tertiary institutions and there are accounting graduates striving to become chartered accountants via ICAN, ACCA, ANAN; this gives them advantage over other job seekers in the accounting sector.
There are so many chartered accountants in Nigeria. So in no particular order, here is the list of the top ten most popular chartered accountants in Nigeria.
In any top organisation with a large workforce, there is an accountant or some accountants in charge of keeping financial records, preparing payrolls, computing tax and communicating financial statements to owner of the business or board of directors as the case may be.
Before we proceed, I will briefly explain who an accountant is; an accountant is a practitioner of accounting or accountancy. In other words, an accountant is someone who carryout accounting activities. A Chartered accountant is a more professional version of an accountant because he or she has fulfilled the requirements by the relevant regulatory accounting bodies such as ICAN, ACCA, ANAN etc to be certified and be called a professional in the field of accounting.
In Nigeria, there are lots of accounting students in various tertiary institutions and there are accounting graduates striving to become chartered accountants via ICAN, ACCA, ANAN; this gives them advantage over other job seekers in the accounting sector.
There are so many chartered accountants in Nigeria. So in no particular order, here is the list of the top ten most popular chartered accountants in Nigeria.
Also Read: My Journey To Becoming A Chartered Accountant By Morenike Vincent
1. Alhaji Razak A. Jaiyeola (B.Sc, ACFE, CRISC, FCA):
1. Alhaji Razak A. Jaiyeola (B.Sc, ACFE, CRISC, FCA):
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| Alhaji Razak Adeleke Jaiyeola |
The former ICAN President, Alhaji Razak Adeleke Jaiyeola, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), and Chief Consultant of A.J. Silicon. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1974. He enrolled and passed all the successive stages of ICAN examinations in a record time.
Alhaji Jaiyeola is very passionate about information technology. He is a member of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control.
He started his accounting career in 1977 at Coopers and Lybrand, an international accounting firm (Now PriceWaterHouseCoopers). He worked at A.C. Christlieb Group, Ayor Group consisting of Nigeria Distilleries, Sphinx, Philbit, Bems etc and Olusola Adekanola & Co before becoming Chief Executive of Consolidated Management Consultants
As the Chief Executive of A. J. Silicon, he has handled several Consulting assignments including, design of Financial Management System under the Nigerian Community Development project funded by the World Bank, design of the Accounting System and financial procedures manual for Universal Basic Education project in Nigeria, Computerization of Accounting, Human Resources and Audit of West African Examinations Council as well as world bank funded financial and economic assessment of all irrigation projects in Nigeria under the River Basin Development Authorities among others.
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| Mazi Nnamdi Okwuadigbo |
Mazi Nnamdi Okwuadigbo is a chartered accountant with over thirty years experience in Auditing, Accounting/Financial Reporting, Taxation, Debt Recovery, Business Advisory, Financial Management, Portfolio Management, and Management Consulting within the public and private sectors.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and holds a certification in International Financial Reporting (CertIFR). He is also a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Taxation Nigeria (CITN) and Associate Member of Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners association of Nigeria.
He is the founder and Managing Partner of Nnamdi Okwuadigbo & Co (Chartered Accountants) which was founded in 1984. With a proven track record of accomplishments in Administration, Finance and Accountancy, Mazi is an outstanding financial expert with an extraordinary gift for creative thinking and has been on the Council of several Professional Bodies. Mazi Okwuadigbo worked as Financial Controller/ Head of Administration of Gearhart Nigeria Limited (Oil Services Company which is now part of Halliburton) between 1982 and 1988.
He was Senior Accountant/Auditor, Coopers & Lybrand (Chartered Accountants) from 1978 to 1982. He was Assistant Treasurer (as a youth corps member) to the Ministry of Finance Benue State from 1977 to 1978. He worked as Bills and Credit Officer, Cash Officer with Barclays Bank Nigeria Limited from 1972 to 1973. He was the In Charge Auditor Coopers and Lybrand (Chartered Accountants) now known as PriceWaterHouseCoopers from 1978 to 1982. He trained with Coopers and Lybrand (Chartered Accountants now PriceWaterHouseCoopers) and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1981.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and holds a certification in International Financial Reporting (CertIFR). He is also a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Taxation Nigeria (CITN) and Associate Member of Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners association of Nigeria.
He is the founder and Managing Partner of Nnamdi Okwuadigbo & Co (Chartered Accountants) which was founded in 1984. With a proven track record of accomplishments in Administration, Finance and Accountancy, Mazi is an outstanding financial expert with an extraordinary gift for creative thinking and has been on the Council of several Professional Bodies. Mazi Okwuadigbo worked as Financial Controller/ Head of Administration of Gearhart Nigeria Limited (Oil Services Company which is now part of Halliburton) between 1982 and 1988.
He was Senior Accountant/Auditor, Coopers & Lybrand (Chartered Accountants) from 1978 to 1982. He was Assistant Treasurer (as a youth corps member) to the Ministry of Finance Benue State from 1977 to 1978. He worked as Bills and Credit Officer, Cash Officer with Barclays Bank Nigeria Limited from 1972 to 1973. He was the In Charge Auditor Coopers and Lybrand (Chartered Accountants) now known as PriceWaterHouseCoopers from 1978 to 1982. He trained with Coopers and Lybrand (Chartered Accountants now PriceWaterHouseCoopers) and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1981.
3. Mrs Onome Joy Adewuyi (B.Sc, M.Sc, FCIB, FCA)
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| Onome Joy Adewuyi |
Onome Joy Adewuyi is the 2nd Deputy Vice President of ICAN (as at the time this article was published). She has been a member of the Governing Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) since 2007.
She is also currently the Chair of the Membership Affairs, Staff and Organizing, and Investigation Panel Committees (as at when this article was published). Previous service with ICAN includes three terms as ICAN’s Treasurer, chairing the ICAN Professional Examinations in 2017 and chairing the IT and Image and Publicity Committees.
Mrs. Adewuyi is also a member of the board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) and was the president of Society of Women Accountants Nigeria (2013-2015). Mrs. Adewuyi’s career spans over 35 years and includes a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and banking.
She worked at Fidelity Bank Plc from 1997 to 2015, where she rose to the position of Executive Director Risk Management from 2009-2015. After retiring from that position, she co-founded a new business, Cynergy Platforms Limited in 2015. She is currently the Executive Director Finance and Administration.
4. Mrs Comfort Olajumoke Eyitayo (MNI, FCA)
She is also currently the Chair of the Membership Affairs, Staff and Organizing, and Investigation Panel Committees (as at when this article was published). Previous service with ICAN includes three terms as ICAN’s Treasurer, chairing the ICAN Professional Examinations in 2017 and chairing the IT and Image and Publicity Committees.
Mrs. Adewuyi is also a member of the board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) and was the president of Society of Women Accountants Nigeria (2013-2015). Mrs. Adewuyi’s career spans over 35 years and includes a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and banking.
She worked at Fidelity Bank Plc from 1997 to 2015, where she rose to the position of Executive Director Risk Management from 2009-2015. After retiring from that position, she co-founded a new business, Cynergy Platforms Limited in 2015. She is currently the Executive Director Finance and Administration.
4. Mrs Comfort Olajumoke Eyitayo (MNI, FCA)
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| Comfort Olajumoke Eyitayo |
Mrs. Comfort Olajumoke Eyitayo is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a member of the Governing Council since 2007. She has served in many ICAN Committees either as Chairman, Deputy Chairman or member at various times. An Entrepreneur of repute, Eyitayo is the CEO of Eden Comfort Place Resort, a high-profile hospitality business in Ikeja, Lagos.
Mrs. Eyitayo is a product of the prestigious University of London School of Economics where she obtained her Advance Diploma in Economics, from 1980-1981, having obtained her West African School Certificate from the Lagos City College, Yaba, Lagos, in 1973.
She also attended Hammersmith & West London College from 1978-1980 where she obtained her HND in Accounting. She was also at Sheffield City Polytechnic for her ACCA Level II, Polytechnic Associateship in Accountancy (PAA) (1982); London School of Accountancy (1983) and Students PYE (1987).
Mrs. Eyitayo worked with KPMG Peat Marwick and KPMG MCLINTOCK – UK at different times. She was also with the United Bank for Africa Plc. She is a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos having successfully attended the Senior Executive Course 31 in 2009. Mrs. Eyitayo has attended numerous training courses both in Nigeria and overseas.
Mrs. Eyitayo is a product of the prestigious University of London School of Economics where she obtained her Advance Diploma in Economics, from 1980-1981, having obtained her West African School Certificate from the Lagos City College, Yaba, Lagos, in 1973.
She also attended Hammersmith & West London College from 1978-1980 where she obtained her HND in Accounting. She was also at Sheffield City Polytechnic for her ACCA Level II, Polytechnic Associateship in Accountancy (PAA) (1982); London School of Accountancy (1983) and Students PYE (1987).
Mrs. Eyitayo worked with KPMG Peat Marwick and KPMG MCLINTOCK – UK at different times. She was also with the United Bank for Africa Plc. She is a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos having successfully attended the Senior Executive Course 31 in 2009. Mrs. Eyitayo has attended numerous training courses both in Nigeria and overseas.
Also Read: Finance vs Accounting Degrees: Which Choice Is Best For Your Career?
5. Alhaji Isma’ila Muhammadu Zakari (Mni, FCA)
5. Alhaji Isma’ila Muhammadu Zakari (Mni, FCA)
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| Isma’ila Muhammadu Zakari |
Alhaji Isma’ila Muhammadu Zakari is the Managing Partner of Ahmed Zakari & Co. (Chartered Accountants), a firm he co-founded in partnership with other professional colleagues in 1998 providing Auditing & Assurance, Tax, Advisory, Insolvency, Business Consulting and Business Valuation services to a wide range of clients in Nigeria.
As Managing Partner, he is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction to a resourceful team of multi-disciplinary professionals providing high quality client service engagements thereby creating value for numerous clients in the private and public sectors.
Zakari is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a member of the body's Governing Council since 2004. He is also a Fellow of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) where he also serves as Council Member.
He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1986 and Kings College Lagos in 1982. He is a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru Jos having successfully attended the Senior Executive Course No. 33 in 2011.
As Managing Partner, he is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction to a resourceful team of multi-disciplinary professionals providing high quality client service engagements thereby creating value for numerous clients in the private and public sectors.
Zakari is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a member of the body's Governing Council since 2004. He is also a Fellow of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) where he also serves as Council Member.
He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1986 and Kings College Lagos in 1982. He is a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru Jos having successfully attended the Senior Executive Course No. 33 in 2011.
Also Read: Definition Of Accountancy: What is Accountancy?
6. Oyemolu Olugbenga Akinsulire (M.Sc, MBA, FNIM, FCA):
6. Oyemolu Olugbenga Akinsulire (M.Sc, MBA, FNIM, FCA):
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| Oyemolu Olugbenga Akinsulire |
Chief Oyemolu Olugbenga Akinsulire is a graduate of Accountancy & Finance from Yaba College of Technology where he obtained his Higher National Diploma and BSc. (Hons.) in Accounting from Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye. Additionally, Chief Akinsulire holds MBA from Kensington University Glendale, California USA.
Chief Akinsulire is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and a Fellow of The Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) (NIM). He had extensive banking experience at Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
Chief Akinsulire is a member of the governing Council of ICAN since 2013. Presently, he is the Treasurer of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) as at when this article was published.
7. John Evbodaghe (MBA, FCA)
Chief Akinsulire is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and a Fellow of The Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) (NIM). He had extensive banking experience at Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
Chief Akinsulire is a member of the governing Council of ICAN since 2013. Presently, he is the Treasurer of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) as at when this article was published.
7. John Evbodaghe (MBA, FCA)
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| John Evbodaghe |
John Evbodaghe, an Accountancy graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Technology Management from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
Evbodaghe, is a consummate professional, whose experience cuts across various sectors of the Nigerian economy. He began his professional career with the firm of D. E. Ogona & Co. from where he moved to the firm of Howarth Dafinone & Co in 1986. He worked briefly with Texaco Nigeria Limited (Now MRS Oil).
He joined the defunct Commerce Bank Plc in 1990 and later Magnum Trust Bank Limited (MTB), now part of Sterling Bank Plc as a foundation staff in1991. After six and half years with the bank, he left in 1997 to work with Process Consulting Group a (consulting outfit).
He joined the Institute in 1999 as Assistant Director in the Public Practice Section. He was the pioneer Coordinating Director of ICAN Faculties between April 2008 and March 2009, he was the Director of Membership Affairs from March 2009 to March 2013 and Director of Examinations from March 2013 to March 2016. Council approved his elevation to the post of Deputy Registrar, Technical services effective April 1, 2016. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
8. Edward Onwuchekwa (PhD, FCCEA, FCMAN):
He is the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants of Nigeria.
Evbodaghe, is a consummate professional, whose experience cuts across various sectors of the Nigerian economy. He began his professional career with the firm of D. E. Ogona & Co. from where he moved to the firm of Howarth Dafinone & Co in 1986. He worked briefly with Texaco Nigeria Limited (Now MRS Oil).
He joined the defunct Commerce Bank Plc in 1990 and later Magnum Trust Bank Limited (MTB), now part of Sterling Bank Plc as a foundation staff in1991. After six and half years with the bank, he left in 1997 to work with Process Consulting Group a (consulting outfit).
He joined the Institute in 1999 as Assistant Director in the Public Practice Section. He was the pioneer Coordinating Director of ICAN Faculties between April 2008 and March 2009, he was the Director of Membership Affairs from March 2009 to March 2013 and Director of Examinations from March 2013 to March 2016. Council approved his elevation to the post of Deputy Registrar, Technical services effective April 1, 2016. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
8. Edward Onwuchekwa (PhD, FCCEA, FCMAN):
He is the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants of Nigeria.
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9. Mukaila Lawal (B.Sc, MBA, AMNIM, FCA)
Mukaila Lawal is currently the Deputy Registrar (Corporate Services) of ICAN in Nigeria (as at when this post was published). He studied Accounting at the University of Lagos and became a Chartered Accountant in 2001 having passed the final examinations and satisfied other conditions. He was conferred with the Fellowship status of the Institute in 2012.
He holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources of the Lagos State University, Ojo in 2008 and was certified as a Fraud Examiner by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, London in 2012.
He is an Associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), fellow of the Institute of Entrepreneurs and a member of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), among others.
10. Ben Ukaegbu (PhD, FCIS, FCTI, FHEA, ACA):
Dr Ben Ukaegbu is the Deputy Registrar (Financial Services) of the ICAN in Nigeria (as at when this post was published). He obtained a Masters’ degree in Accounting & Finance and a doctorate in Finance from the University of Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Before his post-graduate education, he had worked as an Accountant with the Nigeria High Commission, Edinburgh and later joined the University of Manchester as a Research Associate. To share his wealth of experience in education and the financial industry, Ukaegbu taught at the University of North London, now London Metropolitan University from where he joined ICAN in June 2014 as a Director, Technical & Education.
During his period in academia, he became examiner to several leading UK professional Accounting bodies and also an external examiner to universities and a visiting Professor of Management Accounting to Aalborg University, Denmark, among others.
CONCLUSION
9. Mukaila Lawal (B.Sc, MBA, AMNIM, FCA)
Mukaila Lawal is currently the Deputy Registrar (Corporate Services) of ICAN in Nigeria (as at when this post was published). He studied Accounting at the University of Lagos and became a Chartered Accountant in 2001 having passed the final examinations and satisfied other conditions. He was conferred with the Fellowship status of the Institute in 2012.
He holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources of the Lagos State University, Ojo in 2008 and was certified as a Fraud Examiner by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, London in 2012.
He is an Associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), fellow of the Institute of Entrepreneurs and a member of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), among others.
10. Ben Ukaegbu (PhD, FCIS, FCTI, FHEA, ACA):
Dr Ben Ukaegbu is the Deputy Registrar (Financial Services) of the ICAN in Nigeria (as at when this post was published). He obtained a Masters’ degree in Accounting & Finance and a doctorate in Finance from the University of Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Before his post-graduate education, he had worked as an Accountant with the Nigeria High Commission, Edinburgh and later joined the University of Manchester as a Research Associate. To share his wealth of experience in education and the financial industry, Ukaegbu taught at the University of North London, now London Metropolitan University from where he joined ICAN in June 2014 as a Director, Technical & Education.
During his period in academia, he became examiner to several leading UK professional Accounting bodies and also an external examiner to universities and a visiting Professor of Management Accounting to Aalborg University, Denmark, among others.
CONCLUSION
One interesting fact about the accountants on this list is that they all had different qualifications in life, from HND to B.sc, Some of them didn't even study accounting, but today, they are leading the accounting sector in Nigeria. You too can be a chartered accountant irrespective of the course you studied, then go on and become one of the popular chartered accountants in Nigeria.
N.B: This list was compiled based on their contributions to the accountancy profession, appointments and achievements in Nigeria and abroad.
