ICAN explores dual degree, ACA certification pathway with Wesley University

Chinedum Ukaegbu

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has taken steps to deepen its academic and professional partnership with Wesley University Ondo, following a strategic visit aimed at advancing accounting education and expanding professional opportunities for students.

During the engagement, the university reaffirmed its strong support for ICAN and expressed its readiness to become a fully accredited training centre of the institute.

The management of the institution also explored pathways that would allow its accounting students to graduate with both a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree and the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) professional qualification.

The proposed collaboration is expected to strengthen the link between academic learning and professional certification, enabling students to obtain globally recognised accounting qualifications alongside their university degrees.

University authorities noted that the initiative would not only enhance the employability of graduates but also contribute to raising the standard of accounting education in Nigeria.

As part of its commitment to the partnership, the university disclosed plans to construct a building dedicated to ICAN-related academic and professional development activities within the institution.

The university also revealed that it intends to confer an honorary award on a nominee of the institute during its forthcoming convocation ceremony, as part of efforts to cement the growing relationship between the two institutions.

Speaking during the visit, the President of ICAN, Haruna N. Yahaya, commended the leadership of the university for its vision and commitment to academic excellence.

He praised the Vice-Chancellor, Samuel Sunday Obeka, for promoting strong moral values alongside academic development, noting that such qualities are critical to the training of future professionals.

Yahaya acknowledged the university’s declaration of intent to collaborate more closely with the institute and assured that ICAN would provide the necessary support to actualise the proposals.

He also announced plans to return to the institution with members of the institute’s leadership to assess the proposed initiatives and facilitate their implementation.

ICAN Honours Vice-Chancellor
In recognition of what he described as the visionary leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, the ICAN President announced that the institute would confer an honorary ICAN award on Prof. Obeka.

According to him, the honour will be formally presented and the Vice-Chancellor decorated during the institute’s next official visit to the university.

The ICAN delegation to the university included the Immediate Past President, Davidson C. S. Alaribe; the First Deputy Vice President, Etofolam F. Osuji; the Second Deputy Vice President, Oye Akinsulire; the Registrar and Chief Executive, Lanre Olasunkanmi; and the Deputy Registrar, Technical Services, Ijeoma Anaso, alongside other senior officials of the institute.

On the side of the university, the team was led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Obeka and included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Edward Oyekanmi; the Bursar, Dorcas Akinjobi; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Peter Anyanwu; the Director of Research and Innovation, Aribatise Adekunle; the Dean, College of Law, S. F. Akinbuli; the Dean, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, A. O. Agboola; and the Director of Finance and Investment, Kolawole Olasoji.

Strengthening Professional Education
Both institutions noted that the visit reflects a shared commitment to strengthening professional accounting education and building stronger links between universities and professional bodies.

They emphasised that deeper collaboration between academic institutions and professional organisations remains essential to producing skilled accountants capable of meeting the evolving demands of Nigeria’s economy and global financial systems.

The visit, stakeholders said, marks another step toward expanding opportunities for students while reinforcing the role of professional institutions in shaping the future of accounting education in Nigeria.