The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja have launched a milestone strategic partnership to bridge the gap between academic education and professional qualification for students in Nigeria and across the African continent.
The historic collaboration was formalized during a courtesy visit by the ICAN leadership to the university’s campus in Galadimawa, Abuja. The engagement brought together top executives from both institutions to establish a framework that integrates academic curricula with professional certification, ensuring graduates are immediately ready to add value to the global workforce.
The ICAN delegation was led by the Institute’s President and Chairman of Council, Hajiya Queensley S. Seghosime, alongside governing council members. The visit was framed as a forward-looking engagement focused on building strong institutional ties.
Welcoming the delegation, the President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, commended ICAN’s vision and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic innovation.
Hajiya Seghosime praised AUST’s postgraduate, scientific, and technological focus, describing universities and professional bodies as complimentary institutions. She emphasized that a student should never have to compromise or choose between achieving academic excellence and earning a professional qualification.
To operationalize this vision, ICAN proposed a direct integration of academic and professional accounting paths. This structure includes: Blending academic accounting coursework with professional exam requirements; Establishing a dedicated training centre on the AUST campus for the Accounting Technicians Scheme West Africa (ATSWA) to build practical accounting competence; ICAN offering targeted training for AUST’s academic, finance, accounting, and audit personnel; Providing students with mentorship and networking opportunities with practicing professionals.
The partnership is designed as a reciprocal, two-way exchange carrying continental relevance. While ICAN provides rigorous professional pathways, AUST will leverage its pioneering strengths in Artificial Intelligence (AI), data science, digital systems, and advanced scientific research to enrich ICAN’s ongoing professional development programmes.
Responding to the proposal, the President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu , FAS, noted that the university already provides continuous ICT training via its Cisco-certified training center, covering cybersecurity and network operations which will serve as a strong asset for tech-forward research collaborations, joint conferences, and continental publications.
He stressed that integrating practical training such as advanced accounting software proficiency and engineering practice directly into academic curricula is vital to addressing graduate readiness gaps in Nigeria.
Highlighting AUST’s historic track record, Prof Onwualu reported a 100% employability rate for its postgraduate programmes. By infusing ICAN’s practical professional modules, the institutions aim to expand this high workforce readiness across undergraduate levels and entrepreneurship tracks.
Stressing that the relationship must yield measurable outcomes rather than simply remaining a signed document, Hajiya Seghosime called for immediate implementation. Prof. Onwualu warmly received the proposal, stating that it directly aligns with the university’s institutional needs.
Both presidents have moved to nominate formal representatives to a joint working team. This team will be tasked with setting immediate priorities, establishing project timelines, assigning institutional responsibilities, and drawing up a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Following a formal exchange of institutional gifts, the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Abubakar Mohammed, Dean of the School of Management Sciences, AUST, who expressed profound appreciation to the ICAN delegation and looked forward to a highly productive, long-term partnership.
The ICAN President, Hajiya Queensley S. Seghosime was joined by AVM A.I Adamu, ICAN Council Member; Dr. Oluseyi Olanrewaju, ICAN Council Member; Mrs. Nyakno Oluokun, ICAN Council Member; Mr. Lanre Olasunkanmi, Registrar, ICAN; Mrs. Mary Okpara, Member, ICAN; Mrs. Oladiran Sherifat A, PA to the ICAN President; Mrs. Temitope Soga, Communications officer, ICAN while the AUST President had Mr. Ben Obi Okonkwo, Bursar/Director of Accounts; Prof. Abdulhakeem Bello, Vice President, Academic; Dr. Ladi M. Onoja, Head, Department of Business Administration, Mr. Augustine Uzoma Ikeagwu, Chief Internal Auditor, Dr. Abubakar Haruna Mohammed, Dean of the School of Management Sciences, Prince Obioha Atulomah, Head, Media Services & Public Relations, Mr. Dike Chibuzo, Administrative Asstistant, Media Services & Public Relations in receiving the ICAN leaders.