The newly inaugurated president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Queensley Seghosime, has called on chartered accountants in the country to take a leading role in driving Nigeria’s economic transformation rather than merely responding to changes in the system.
Seghosime made the charge during her investiture ceremony as the 62nd president of ICAN, held at the institute’s headquarters in Lagos, where she outlined an ambitious reform agenda aimed at repositioning the profession for greater national impact.
According to her, accountants occupy a strategic position between business and governance, and must therefore play a more active role in shaping economic direction, strengthening institutions and improving accountability across sectors.
“We are not spectators to Nigeria’s economic transformation. We are participants. We are partners. We are contributors. We are guardians of the system that creates confidence, attracts investment and sustains economic progress. ICAN must not merely respond to change. ICAN must lead change,” she said.
She emphasised that the profession’s relevance should not be measured only by membership growth, but by the value it creates in society, the confidence it inspires in the economy and the impact it delivers in governance and business environments.
Seghosime also unveiled a nine-pillar vision tagged “WE ARE ICAN,” which, according to her, will guide her leadership focus on governance reform, sustainability, member welfare, ethical standards and institutional strengthening.
She pledged to prioritise governance and operational excellence within the institute, including data-driven decision-making, improved performance management and enhanced service delivery.
“A great vision requires a great institution,” she said, adding that her administration would work to strengthen ICAN’s systems to ensure greater efficiency and relevance in a rapidly evolving global economy.
The ICAN president further stressed the importance of sustainability in professional practice, noting that the institute would promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting, integrated reporting, sustainable finance and responsible business practices among members.
She also vowed to reinforce ethics, integrity and professional discipline, describing them as the foundation of trust in the accounting profession.
“These are not merely programmes. They are commitments. They are responsibilities. They are our promises,” she stated.
Seghosime called for collective support from students, young professionals, senior members and past presidents, stressing that the transformation agenda would require shared responsibility rather than individual effort.
“This is not my vision. This is our collective vision. This is not my responsibility. This is our responsibility. This is not my moment. This is our moment,” she added.
Earlier, the outgone ICAN President, Mallam Haruna Yahaya, highlighted key achievements of his tenure, including digital transformation initiatives, brand revitalisation, improved engagement with younger professionals, enhanced employability programmes, and expanded global certification pathways.
The investiture ceremony attracted several dignitaries who in their goodwill messages, commended ICAN for its contribution to nation-building and urged the new president to sustain the institute’s tradition of professionalism, integrity and excellence while advancing its role in Nigeria’s economic development.
