The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) is advancing efforts to strengthen professional accounting education at the undergraduate level, with plans to introduce its Accounting Technicians Scheme West Africa (ATSWA) to students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), from 100 level.
The initiative was discussed during a strategic visit by the ICAN President and Chairman of Council, Hajia Queensley Sofuratu Seghosime, mni, MSc, FCA, to the university on October 28, 2026, where she held discussions with the Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Saádatu Hassan Liman, on areas of collaboration between the two institutions.
The proposed partnership, which is expected to be formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is designed to provide students with an early opportunity to acquire professional accounting knowledge and practical competencies alongside their university education.
By introducing ATSWA from the first year of undergraduate studies, ICAN seeks to make professional accounting education more accessible, enabling students to begin their professional development early and build a stronger foundation for future careers in accounting, finance and related fields.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen the connection between academic learning and professional practice, while expanding the pool of competent accounting technicians and future chartered accountants.
The proposed collaboration represents a significant step towards deeper engagement between ICAN and Nasarawa State University in promoting professional excellence, developing accounting talent and preparing students to meet the evolving demands of the financial and business environment.
Although the partnership is still at the proposal stage, its planned implementation could provide a valuable pathway for students to combine academic qualifications with professional accounting training from the beginning of their university journey.
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