The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria ( ICAN) Abuja District and Society, Mr Chukwuemeka Okoroeze has said his chairmanship year will be guided by a single unifying theme: Driving Economic Resilience through Digital Innovation and Fiscal Integrity.
Okoroeze stated this in his acceptance speech during his investiture ceremony as the 16th Chairman of ICAN Abuja and District Society Mr Chukwuemeka Okoroeze and the inauguration of 2026/2027 Executive Committee in Abuja on Friday.
He said:”the vision rest upon three strategic pillars called 3 Point Agenda which are private-sector integration, digital transformation and the Legacy project. The private sector integration entails we launching the SME Financial Toolkit and the Abuja Business Clinics designed to take the services of its members in practice directly into boardrooms of Garki,the technology hub of Wuse and the development corridors of Guzape.
“The Initiative will open doors of opportunity, creating,both a marketplace and a training ground where our young accountants can find work,sharpen their skills and flourish. It’s multiplier effect will strengthen our membership drive,build the capacity of our members and projects our great institute to the world as an association of unrivaled repute.” Okoroeze said.
Speaking on the digital transformation agenda,Okoroeze said all chartered accountants need to do is add Artificial Intelligence and other technologies such as data analytics as part of their working tools.
He said:”For our members, the challenge of artificial intelligence is not a shortage of tools because capable software already exist.The challenge is a gap in adaptation and trust. Our district cannot build software,nor can it set professional standards,but what we can do- and what no one else does for the individual member,is to stand between tool makers and the working accountants:curating honest guidance, building practical skills and clarifying the ethical and data protection lines.To that end, we shall establish the Digital Practice and AI Adoption Group to make the practical adoption of technology real for every member.”
Okoroeze further stated that the third agenda is the Legacy project. He said: “Today,I commit this administration to ensuring the formal take-off of the ICAN Abuja Accountants Galleria with the support and help of everyone.”
While speaking to journalist at the event,the 62nd President of ICAN Hajia Queensley Sofuratu Segoshime said ICAN members will continue to embrace technology even with the invention of Artificial Intelligence.
She said:”Our members are already in the forefront of innovation and we continue to do that. We will continue to sustain it. We intend to sustain the level of innovation that our members already have.We intend to strengthen the use of AI and digital capacity of our members, which we are already doing. Of course, you know that as ICAN members, you must train, retrain and learn.”
However, Seghoseme said though machines can do alot, machine cannot talk about integrity, transparency and other ethics that accountants uphold, hence the role of Accountants remains very vital.
She congratulated the new executives under the Chairmanship of Mr Chukwuemeka Okoroeze. She said:”I wish to remind you that District Societies are the primary vehicles through which the vision of ICAN is translated into measurable impact. Your success this year will not merely be judged by meetings held or ceremonies organised, but by the value created for members, students, the profession, and society.
“Accordingly, I urge Abuja & District Society to align its programmes and activities with our strategic agenda, “WE ARE ICAN!” This is not a slogan; it is a call to duty. It means widening access, raising standards, defending accountability, embracing technology, building partnerships, strengthening governance, promoting sustainability, advancing member welfare, and protecting the integrity of our profession. These are not optional ideals. They are the standards by which our relevance will be judged, and our legacy will be measured.”Seghosime said.
She encouraged the new leaders to ensure that the tempo of innovation is sustained at the District level, and that the impact of ICAN does not dwindle in Abuja.
The chairman of the occasion and retired Director of Operations of the DSS Mr Raymond’s Nkemdirim, said the new ICAN Abuja District Chairman is a visionary leader who will pilot the affairs of the association in the right direction and to greater heights.
He urged him to remain focused and dedicated as he work with the newly inaugurated executives of the district.
The Chairman of the Investiture Planning Committee and the Vice Chairman of the district,Mr Monday Adaji thanked the 62nd President of ICAN Hajiya Queensley Sofuratu Segoshime for being part of the historic event adding that it reflects her belief in the vision and future of the district society.
