ICAN-UK CONFERENCE: Leaders convene, urge strategic AI adoption, sustainable growth

2026-03-21 - 07:13

By Vera Anyagafu The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) UK and District Society’s 13th international conference, held in London, UK, emphasised the need for strategic AI adoption and sustainable growth, with leaders urging accountants to lead in transparency and long-term performance. In her opening address, the ICAN UK and District Society Conference Committee Chair, Mrs Yetunde Raimi-Odimayo, (FCA, CPFA), highlighted Africa’s exposure to AI trends and the need for strategic navigation of the workforce and environmental impacts. According to her, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and all it’s attendant capabilities are here to stay. “The application of AI and the impact on our everyday lives have been the subject of global debates around the world, Africa and in particular Nigeria, is not immune to this discourse. Leadership, ethics and culture are at the heart of the AI revolution”, Raimi-Odimayo added. Giving his remarks, the District Chairman and Chairman, Committee, ICAN Diaspora Chairmen, Mr Akintayo Ojo,(FCCA, FCA), reinforced the human-centred focus of Aligning People, Planet, and Profit (PPP), the conference theme, which aimed at exploring the intersection of human wellbeing, business success, and environmental responsibility, weighing in on Africa’s AI journey, and the future of accounting. Akintayo said that while accountants have traditionally focused on profit and loss, balance sheets and reserves, the profession must now shift it’s focus to balancing people, planet, and profit. “It’s no longer just about maximising profits, but also about considering environmental impact and human welfare. We have ignored the effects of our actions on the environment and staff welfare. But this is a global issue, not just an African problem. Accountants must measure not just financial performance but also environmental and social impact”, the Chairman posited. The 61st ICAN President, Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya, (mni, Ph.D., FCA), called for purposeful profit, stronger Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) integration, and responsible AI adoption. He emphasised that AI cannot process conscience, and that PPP alignment is a discipline, not a slogan, saying that no conversation about alignment in the 21st century is complete without acknowledging the transformative force of artificial intelligence. According to the ICAN President, “Artificial Intelligence (AI), is reshaping how we analyse data, detect anomalies, model risk, and measure sustainability impact. As professional Chartered Accountants, our duty is to ensure that digital transformation is guided by ethical principles, accountability frameworks, and societal responsibility. The future will not belong to those who resist technology, but to those who harness it responsibly in service of people, profit and planet.” One of the keynote speakers, Head of Business Management, ACCA’s Policy and Insight Team, Mr. Clive Webb, urged accountants to lead in transparency and long-term performance, amidst emerging economies’ challenges. Clive, also a lead author of research on career path development in the profession, considered developments from the perspective of the Chief Finance Officers (CFO) and the finance function, including the skill requirements, the use of technology, the importance of sustainability and the overall direction of the function. As a qualified accountant with considerable global experience, Clive guided conference participants through the process of organisational transformation, highlighting the crucial role of internal control in driving successful change. UK-based Nigerian researcher, a scholar with multiple awards, Chairman of Excellence in Educational Program, and co-hosts of the Prince’s Trust initiative, Professor Chris Imafidon, also took the podium, sharing insights on AI and financial literacy. He positioned AI as a transformative tool for aligning PPP and unlocking global value, stressing how AI is revolutionising efficiency, redefining careers, and reshaping the future of professions. Prof. Imafidon who also highlighted AI’s potential to transform accounting, its role in data analysis, storage, and security through blockchain, while urging accountants to embrace AI and boosted financial literacy to stay ahead of the curve and drive business growth. From streamlining processes to unlocking new opportunities, AI is a game-changer, he said, expressing how accountants and other individuals can harness and or, leverage the AI’s power to expand skills. “The time is now for accountants to take action. The Accountant’s Call to Action is clear, adapt, innovate, thrive in a rapidly changing financial landscape, plan to upskill and future-proof your practice”, Professor Imafidon stated. With characteristic flair, esteemed Human Resources professional, Author, trusted Advisor, and a Teesside University alumna with a doctorate in business administration, Dr Adora Ikwuemesi, expertly navigated the conference through the critical need for human capital investment, globally and in Africa, highlighting its far-reaching effects. The respected thought leader effectively underscored its profound global impact in driving progress. She also pinpointed sustainable human capital as the key gap in PPP alignment, stressing on leadership, capability development, and people-centred value creation. Reacting to the theme of the Conference, Chairman of Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK), Hon. Ily Maisanda, weighed in, expressing that by delving into the nexus of social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and economic viability, ICAN members and industry leaders are uniquely positioned to redefine the future of business. He also highlighted AI’s role in accounting and sustainability, underscoring that sustainability demands a broader metric. “Accountants now need to quantify environmental and social impact, not just financials”, the CANUK Chairman added. ICAN Vice President and Diaspora District Coordinator, Queensley Sofuratu Seghosime (mni, HND, B.A., MBA, FCA), also attended the UK conference, endorsing the theme’s focus on balancing people, profit, and planet. The conference successfully convened professionals from various organisations across Nigeria, US and the UK.