TY Ishaya: From accounting professional to entrepreneur, community advocate

Aaron Anthony, Yola

Some journeys are defined by privilege, while others are shaped by perseverance, determination and the willingness to keep moving forward despite the challenges along the way.

The story of Hon. Ishaya Timothy Yohanna, popularly known as TY Ishaya, belongs to the latter category.

A community leader, entrepreneur, professional accountant and advocate for youth empowerment, TY Ishaya’s journey reflects a combination of professional development, enterprise, community service and a sustained desire to create opportunities for others.

From his roots in Laka Community in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, to his formative years in Girei and Yola North, and later his professional experiences across different parts of Nigeria and his establishment in Abuja, Ishaya’s story is one of continuous growth.

His experience cuts across accounting, financial services, real estate and entrepreneurship, while his community activities have increasingly focused on supporting young people and helping individuals develop sustainable means of livelihood.

Ishaya Timothy Yohanna hails from Laka Community in Yola North LGA of Adamawa State. He was born into the family of Yohanna, a gospel preacher.

His early years were shaped by the values of family, community and determination. During his teenage years, he lived in Modire Ward, Girei Local Government Area, where his experiences helped shape his outlook on life and strengthened his determination to build a meaningful future.

Driven by the desire to advance himself, he later relocated to Luggere Ward, where he stayed within his second family compound.
His journey subsequently took him through different parts of Yola North before professional opportunities eventually led him outside Adamawa State.

As his career progressed, he worked and lived in several parts of Nigeria before eventually establishing his base in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

That transition—from a young man growing up in his community to a professional and entrepreneur operating in a major commercial and administrative centre—became an important chapter in his personal and professional development.

His academic and professional qualifications span accounting, education and professional accountancy. They include an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Accounting, a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accounting, a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Education, as well as a professional qualification as a Chartered Accountant.

His background in accounting and finance has influenced not only his professional career but also his approach to business and leadership.

For Ishaya, professional development has been an ongoing process. His movement from accounting into financial services, real estate and entrepreneurship demonstrates an ability to apply his knowledge and experience across different sectors.

TY Ishaya began his professional career with LFC Worldwide, where he worked as an accountant.

Through dedication, experience and professional competence, he rose through the organisation, serving as State Accountant and later as Financial Controller.

He spent approximately a decade with LFC Worldwide before moving on to pursue other professional opportunities.

His next major professional experience came with Old Mutual Insurance, where he worked as a Financial Advisor.

The position exposed him to another dimension of the financial sector, particularly client advisory and financial services.

His career later expanded into real estate when he joined BSTAN Group as an accountant. The company was subsequently acquired by Lufem Properties and Investment Ltd.

These experiences broadened his professional understanding and provided him with exposure to different aspects of business management, finance and investment.

The accumulated experience eventually helped shape TY Ishaya’s transition into entrepreneurship.

Today, he serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Brannty Global Services Ltd, where he oversees a growing portfolio of businesses operating in different sectors.

Through these ventures, Ishaya has sought to create business opportunities while contributing to enterprise development.

His entrepreneurial activities reflect his belief that economic empowerment should not be limited to employment alone, but should also involve creating opportunities for people to acquire skills, establish businesses and become economically productive.

Beyond his professional and entrepreneurial activities, one of the defining aspects of TY Ishaya’s public engagement is his interest in youth empowerment.

His philanthropic activities have included supporting individuals facing difficulties, assisting young people in securing employment opportunities and sponsoring youths to acquire trade, vocational and business skills.

Rather than focusing solely on short-term assistance, his approach to empowerment is centred on helping individuals acquire skills and develop sustainable means of livelihood.

For him, empowering a young person with knowledge, vocational skills or business capacity can create benefits that extend beyond the individual to families and communities.

This philosophy has become an important part of his engagement with society.
Recognition for Professional Excellence
Over the years, TY Ishaya’s professional journey has also earned him recognition.

Among the recognitions associated with his career are Best Performing FCS Vice President and his role as Team Leader on an Audit Trip to the United Kingdom.

Such recognitions represent aspects of his professional leadership, teamwork and commitment to excellence.

His career trajectory—from an accountant to senior financial responsibilities and subsequently into entrepreneurship—also demonstrates the value he places on professional competence and continuous development.

TY Ishaya’s professional experiences have given him exposure to different dimensions of economic activity.

Accounting taught him the importance of financial discipline and accountability. His experience in financial services exposed him to client relationships and financial decision-making. His involvement in real estate provided exposure to property and investment, while entrepreneurship has required him to combine management, strategy and opportunity identification.

These experiences now inform his broader engagement with community development.
His leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that individuals and communities need opportunities to grow.

For him, leadership should not simply be about occupying a position. It should also be about creating opportunities, supporting people and contributing to the development of society.

Despite the professional journey that has taken him across different parts of Nigeria and ultimately to Abuja, his connection to his roots remains a significant part of his story.

The communities of Laka, Girei and Yola North represent important chapters in his formative years.

His journey demonstrates how people can move from modest beginnings, acquire education and professional experience, and eventually use that experience to create opportunities for themselves and others.

That connection to community has also influenced his interest in youth empowerment and philanthropy.

The story of Hon. Ishaya Timothy Yohanna is not simply a profile of professional accomplishments. It is a narrative of progression—from community beginnings to professional accounting, financial services, real estate, entrepreneurship and community engagement.

His journey illustrates the intersection between education and enterprise, professional experience and leadership, and personal success and social responsibility.

From Laka Community to Girei and Yola North, and from various professional engagements across Nigeria to Abuja, TY Ishaya has continued to build his career around determination, opportunity and service.

His experience demonstrates that success is often a process rather than a destination.
As an accountant, entrepreneur and community advocate, he continues to pursue opportunities that combine business development with empowerment.

Hon. Ishaya Timothy Yohanna, popularly known as TY Ishaya, represents a journey of perseverance, professional growth and continuous development.

His academic background, professional experience in accounting and financial services, exposure to real estate, entrepreneurial ventures and commitment to youth empowerment form the major pillars of his story.

From humble beginnings in Laka Community to establishing himself professionally in Abuja, his journey underscores the importance of determination, education, professional excellence, enterprise and service to humanity.

For TY Ishaya, the journey continues—with the experience of the past providing the foundation for a future increasingly focused on opportunity, empowerment and community development.