Abia State delegates led by the Accountant-General, Dr. Njum Nnennaya Uma-Onyemenam, participated in the 6-day 56th Annual Accountants Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, held from October 18 to 23, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
The 6-man Abia delegation included Dr. Anthony Nzeribe Nwaubani, Mayor of Ikwuano; Hon. Philemon Ogbonna, Commissioner for Environment; Mrs. Chioma Orikara, Commissioner, Civil Service Commission; Mrs. Ngozi Eke, Auditor-General; and Mr. Emmanuel Okpechi, Special Adviser to the Governor on IGR.
The conference, themed “Beyond the Numbers: Strengthening the Economy, Securing the Nation,” brought together accounting professionals, policymakers and business leaders to discuss economic reforms, accountability and national security.
Declaring the conference open, the Executive Chairman, Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, harped on revenue mobilisation and fiscal responsibility.
In her address, ICAN President, Hajia Queensley Sofuratu Seghosime, called for strong institutions and responsible leadership, noting that national progress should be measured by job creation, food security and living standards.
Speakers including Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; IFAC President, Jean Bouquot; and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, stressed the link between transparency, security and economic growth.
The conference attracted 11,870 delegates, 8,910 physical and 2,960 virtual, including 517 young accountants.
The 6-day programme also featured technical sessions on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability reporting and cybersecurity, reflecting emerging issues reshaping the accounting profession. Participants deliberated on how accountants can leverage technology and ethical standards to strengthen public financial management.
For Abia State, the participation of the delegation provided an opportunity to engage with national policymakers and professionals on contemporary issues in fiscal governance, transparency and accountability, with lessons expected to further strengthen the state’s ongoing public finance reforms.
