How I started ICAN at 13, became Nigeria’s youngest accountant at 16 – Okundaye

Nigeria’s youngest accountant, 16-year-old Osasere Okundaye, has shared how she began her journey to professional success at the age of 13, having completed secondary school ahead of her peers.

Okundaye, who recently made history as the youngest accountant in the country, said her parents encouraged her to pursue the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria Accounting Technicians program rather than sit idle waiting for university admission.

He shared his story on Saturday during the monthly Power Must Change Hands program held at the headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry in Magboro, Ogun State.

PLATFORM TIMES reports that the teenager was earlier announced as Nigeria’s youngest accountant, earning praise from the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.

The minister described the achievement as a reflection of hard work, discipline, resilience and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Recounting his experience, Okundaye said the journey was far from easy because he had not studied accounting during secondary school.

“I am 16 years old. I started this ICAN journey three years ago, after finishing secondary school early,” he said.

“My parents encouraged me to start writing ICAN exams through ATS instead of waiting until I was old enough for college.”

He admitted that adapting to accounting was initially difficult, especially during the first phase of professional exams.

“I wasn’t an accounting student in high school, so the exams, especially at the first level, turned out to be very difficult, more difficult than they probably have been for other people at the same level,” she said.

“But I had to work even harder, and with God’s grace, I managed to pass the first level. It’s been a success ever since.”

The young accountant also revealed that her journey has not been without its setbacks, revealing that she failed one of her final professional papers last year.

Instead of giving up her dream, she rewrote the paper during the May 2026 diet and died.

“Last year, unfortunately, I failed one of my final assignments, which I had to rewrite earlier this year, in May,” he said.

“To the glory of God, I passed that exam and now I can say I am a qualified chartered accountant at 16.”

Her achievement comes barely a year after 18-year-old Temilola Blossom Arise, a student of the University of Ilorin, made headlines for passing the ICAN professional level examination.

Since then, Okundaye’s achievements have been celebrated as an inspiration to young Nigerians, with stakeholders in the education sector describing his success as proof that determination, discipline and timely preparation can produce extraordinary results.

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