ICAN schools drive sparks career clarity, early entry path into Accounting profession

…As Obi/Akpor District & Society in Rivers State launches out in Bishop Crowther Memorial School, Port Harcourt

An outreach by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Obio-Akpor District & Society, led by Chioma Obianuju Ojukwu, a university lecturer, has been hailed for reshaping how secondary school students perceive Accounting as a course and career path. It is now believed that the drive has offered both a clear career pathway and early entry opportunities into the profession.

Now, many students are now said to be choosing accounting. “Even some undergraduates are already chartered accountants because they passed through the three stages of the professional examinations early,” according to one of the ICAN officials involved in the drive.

At Bishop Crowther Memorial School, Port Harcourt, in the week, students gathered for an intensive engagement designed to demystify the journey to becoming a chartered accountant, while highlighting the profession’s relevance across industries.

Speaking, Ojukwu, who was best graduating student in Accounting in her year in the Abia State University, said the “Catch Them Young” initiative by the ICAN, Obio-Akpor District, plays a vital role in introducing secondary school students to the Accounting profession at an early stage.

She explained that the programme builds foundational knowledge in financial literacy, discipline, and ethics, while also opening students’ eyes to the career opportunities available in Accounting and Finance.

Since its inception, she stated, the initiative has produced measurable impact. “Several beneficiaries have gone on to pursue accounting at tertiary level and are now practicing professionals contributing to Nigeria’s economic development, with notable representation of young women in the field.”

Beyond technical training, she said, “Catch Them Young” promotes integrity, mentorship, and nation-building — core values necessary for strengthening transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s financial system.

Adaobi Akuagba, pioneer assistant secretary of ICAN Obio-Akpor District, explained that the initiative was born out of a gap in career awareness among young people.

“Most times, the young ones don’t really know the right path to take to become a chartered accountant or an ICAN member. That was why we are bringing this programme to secondary schools, educating students on the exams they are going to write, how they are going to read, and the levels they must pass through before qualifying as chartered accountants.”

Akuagba highlighted the Accounting Technicians Scheme (ATS) as a key entry point, noting that students can begin their professional journey immediately after secondary school.

“With just five credits, including English, Mathematics, Economics, Government and any social science, you can start with ATS. It has three levels. Once you pass through these levels, you are qualified as equivalent to an accounting graduate and can proceed into the ICAN programme”.

She added that awareness created by the outreach is already yielding results. “A whole lot of students are now choosing accounting. Even some’ undergraduates are already chartered accountants because they passed through ATS early.”

Beyond awareness, the programme also provides motivation through learning materials and incentives. “It costs us, we produce exercise books, buy pens, and give little tokens during question-and-answer sessions. These small things encourage participation,” Akuagba noted.

In his welcome address, Chieme Chimobi, the school’s principal, underscored the importance of dedicating time to the engagement.

“When the district chairman approached us, we had our career day scheduled for June, but we realised what they had to offer could not be compressed into 30 minutes. That is why we gave them a full day so students can truly understand the opportunities in accounting.”

Chimaobi encouraged students to pay close attention, adding, “By the time they are done, you will see the need to pursue a career in Accounting.”

Also lending institutional support, George Igwe, Supervisor for Education in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, described the initiative as timely.

“This programme will impact the students positively by giving them a sense of direction, especially those who want to engage in Accounting later in life. I commend the leadership of ICAN Obio-Akpor for providing this rare opportunity.”

For many students, the session was transformative. Chimaobi Chieme Great, SS2 student, acknowledged the value of the profession, even as he pursues a different path.

He said: “The career talk today is very interesting. We have understood that Accounting is a course that grantees one a job; you can work in any industry. It is a very good course, but I will not study it because I have already chosen a career. However, I will join ICAN and make contributions to the accounting system in Nigeria.”

Pleasant George, JSS2 student, the impact was more immediate. “The visit has inspired me so much. Before now, I didn’t know the path to follow in my career life, but now I have found a path and that is Accounting. I also discovered I can apply accounting in medicine and other industries.”

According to the theme of the outreach, “Catch them Young”, the outreach reflects a broader strategy to build a future-ready workforce by catching talent early bridging the gap between secondary education and professional certification, while strengthening Nigeria’s accounting ecosystem from the grassroots.

ICAN carries out this outreach programme every year and many are said to have the right career path from it.