Nigeria’s First Chartered Accountant, Akintola Williams Dies At 104

Akintola Williams, the pioneer of Nigeria’s indigenous chartered accountants, has passed away at the remarkable age of 104.

He marked his 104th birthday on August 9th before his passing on Monday, September 11, 2020.

Born in 1919, Akintola Williams made significant contributions to shaping Nigeria’s financial sector and the accounting profession. He earned his commerce degree, with a focus on banking and finance, from the University of London in 1946.

In 1949, he achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first individual from sub-Saharan Africa to earn the esteemed title of chartered accountant after successfully passing the qualifying examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW).

Akintola Williams also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), formerly known as the Association of Accountants in Nigeria.

During his illustrious career, Williams served as an assessment officer at the Inland Revenue from 1950 to 1952. His legacy in the field of accounting and his contributions to Nigeria’s financial landscape will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.