The Pioneer Chairman of the ICAN Kubwa and District Society Mrs Ijeoma Ugwunobe (middle),the Vice Chairman Mr Emmanuel Salako and other members of the District during the Road Walk to kick off the Accounting week.
By Victoria Onehi
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Kubwa and District Society, the Diamond District has held it’s first Accounting Week with a call on Accountants to play their role in tax Administration.
Activities to mark the Accounting Week 2026 began on 18th April with members of the District going on a Road Walk within Kubwa to create awareness about the accounting week and the District Society which was established 11 months ago.
The Road Walk was followed by the Secondary School debate for it’s ‘Catch them Young’ programme.
The Pioneer Chairman of the ICAN Kubwa Branch,Mrs Ijeoma Ugwunobe said ‘Catch them young’ is a programme the institute hold dearly to its heart because it ensures the continuity of the institute.”This programme gives us opportunity to teach and tell our young ones about ICAN and show them the pathway to becoming Chartered accountants. As we enlighten them,some of them who do not have interest in the profession will develop interest while some that have the notion that it’s difficult to be an ICAN member will have that eroded.”She said.
One of the students, Temi Ogunyemi said through the programme,he has now known that ICAN is open to other professions even if you are not an Acountant.
The three schools which participated in this edition of the School debate were Government Secondary school Byzhin,Anglican Comprehensive High School,Kubwa and Rex Charistus College,Kubwa. The students spoke For or Against the topic ‘2025 Tax Reform will benefit Nigeria’s Economy.’
At the end of the debate,Rex Charistus College came first with 63 points while Government Secondary school Byzhin came 2nd with 59 points and Anglican Comprehensive High school came 3rd with 53 points.
The ICAN Kubwa District Accounting Week 2026, continued with the seminar were experts harped on the role of Accountants in tax administration.
Representative and District Coordinator, ICAN Governing Council Hon. Nasiru Mohammed,who joined virtually declared the event opened on behalf of the current and 61st ICAN President, Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya. He congratulated the Kubwa District for achieving the feat of organising this year’s Diamond District Week successfully, and thanking the keynote speaker, guest speakers, and other personalities for attending the event.
According to him, the theme of the event is “timely and strategic”, while the choice of speakers are accurate.”
Responding,the pioneer Chairman of Kubwa District, Mrs Ijeoma Ugwunebo, appreciated him for his fatherly advice adding that the session had been wonderful.
“It’s been a very engaging session for us and all our invited guests, and so we thank you, sir for your guidance, your fatherly role in ensuring that this district is thriving, not just the existing in the last 11 months of our existence. We have done a lot due to your support and your fatherly advice and encouragement every point of the way. So we say, Thank you, sir,” she said.
Adaze Aguele-Kalu, a Chartered accountant and investment Banker,while delivering her keynote address at seminar harped on the role of Chartered Accountants in Tax administration.
Speaking on the theme ‘Aligning Taxation with Nation-building: The Role of Chartered Accountant, Aguele-Kalu acknowledged the role of Chartered Accountants in the administration of tax, adding that their role intersects between civil responsibility and nation-building.
She urged Chartered Accountants to endeavour to do their works without compromising ethical and professional standards in the interest of national development, adding that it is a progressive journey that requires them to update their knowledge from time to time.
She noted that the major difference between the Nigerian tax system and those in other climes is that Nigerians are not seeing the deliverables of the taxes they pay due to lack of proper accountability and transparency.
“We are not feeling the deliverables of the tax being collected in Nigeria. The purpose of tax in Nation-building is to support the various facets of the economy; it’s the cornerstone of the economy. I see tax working in other places,” she said.
She insisted that tax collected must be made to reflect in the life of the citizens through delivering working healthcare system, transport system, as well as infrastructure network among others, all of which, according to her is still zero in the case of Nigeria.
She stressed the need for transparency, accountability, and digitalisation in tax administration to improve public services and economic development.
She urged Nigerians to ask those at the helm of affairs questions where they are not feeling the impact of the taxes they pay, adding that aligning tax collection with Nation-building was key.
Mrs Aguele-Kalu noted that the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), being the major driver of tax collection in Nigeria is doing well but needs to up the game in terms of accountability and transparency, urging that in the interest of success reforms and effective taxation, the institutions must be strengthened to carry out their functions effectively.
Dr Chimenka Ezeribe, who spoke on “Digitisation and Taxation: Lessons for Chartered Accountants” harped on the need for the Accountants to embrace modern digital technologies such Artificial Intelligence (AI) to be able to solve problems and, make themselves relevant globally.
According to him, “No Nation-building without building the digital economy, and top rank countries in the world today are those most wired”.
Another speaker, Mr Shedrach Saddih spoke on “Protecting Sovereign Taxing Rights and Plugging the Leakages: The Role of Chartered Accountants”, while Prof. Chris Amafidon, delivered virtually, urging the chartered Accounts to update in digital technology in order to expand their professional and career horizon beyond the shores of Nigeria and contribute more to nation-building.
Dr Kennedy Iwundu (Associate Professor of Forensics) spoke on the “The Role of Chartered Accountants in Strategic Tax Planning and Task Risks Management (Focus on 2025 Nigerian Tax Reforms)’.
To conclude, a vote of thanks was given by the Chairman, Accounting Week Committee, Mrs Ahmed Sullayman, during which she did a brief review of the week long activities and appreciated the speakers and all other stakeholders in attendance.
