ICAN Presidents
See the complete list of all ICAN presidents. The current ICAN President (2025) is Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) was formerly known as the Association of Accountants of Nigeria. Between 1960 and 1965, the institution was known and referred to as the Association of Accountants of Nigeria.
This was changed in 1965 under the leadership of Frank Cuthbert Oladipo COKER, CFR, B.Com, FCA, to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Change from AAN to ICAN
Association of Accountants of Nigeria (AAN) was established in 1960, with Akintola Williams CBE, CFR (1960–62), and Frank Cuthbert Oladipo Coker CFR (1962–65) leading the body. Williams became the first Nigerian chartered accountant, while Coker would go on to guide the institute’s formal transition.
AAN evolved into the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) on 1 September 1965 under Coker’s presidential year.
ICAN Presidents
See the Complete list of Past Presidents of ICAN below
THE ASSOCIATION OF ACCOUNTANTS IN NIGERIA (THE FORERUNNER OF ICAN)
| Name | Tenure | |
|---|---|---|
| Akintola WILLIAMS, CBE, CFR, B.Com., FCA (Deceased) | 1960 – 62 | |
| Frank Cuthbert Oladipo COKER, CFR, B.Com., FCA (Deceased) | 1962 – 65 |
THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF NIGERIA
| Name | Tenure | |
|---|---|---|
| Frank Cuthbert Oladipo COKER, CFR, B.Com., FCA (Deceased) | 1965 – 66 | |
| Ephraim Adekunle OSINDERO, (Otunba) MON, FCA (Deceased) | 1966 – 67 | |
| Herbert William BOND, FCA (Deceased) | 1967 – 68 | |
| Zacchaeus Oludayo OSOSANYA, FCA (Deceased) | 1968 – 69 | |
| Alfred EHREN, FCA (Deceased) | 1969 – 70 | |
| Felix Bankole CARDOSO, FCA (Deceased) | 1970 – 71 | |
| Emmanuel Ayodele ODUKOYA, (Archdeacon), FCA, (Deceased) | 1971 – 72 | |
| Musiliu Olaiya ANIBABA, (Chief), FCA (Deceased) | 1972 – 73 | |
| Vincent Obajimi Adebisi OGUNBA, FCA, (Deceased) | 1973 – 74 | |
| Julius Akinyokun OWOSENI, (Chief) FCA, (Deceased) | 1974 – 75 | |
| Michael Adepoju ADEYEMO, (Prof.), M.Sc., (ECONS), FCA (Deceased) | 1975 – 76 | |
| Cecil Oyeniyi Olurotimi OYEDIRAN, B.Sc., (ECONS),MFR, FCA | 1976 – 77 | |
| Anthony Asuquo ANI, (Chief) MON, FCA | 1977 – 78 | |
| Arthur Christopher Izuegbunam MBANEFO, (Amb. Chief) (Odu III) MFR, CON, FCA | 1978 – 79 | |
| Joseph Akintunde Alaba ADEBAYO, (Prince), FCA | 1979 – 80 | |
| John Adepoju BALOGUN (Sir), FCA (Deceased) | 1980 – 81 | |
| Idris Onaolapo SULAIMON, (Alhaji), FCA (Deceased) | 1981 – 82 | |
| Olusola FALEYE (Chief), FCA (Deceased) | 1982 – 83 | |
| Dolanimi Babafemi Olabamidele OGUTUGA, FCA (Deceased) | 1983 – 84 | |
| Johnson Kayode Osiyemi OSINAIKE, FCA (Deceased) | 1984 – 85 | |
| Otunba Adedoyin Olayide OGUNDE, FCA, (Deceased) | 1985 – 86 | |
| Samie Aremu, WILLIAMS, FCA (deceased) | 1986 – 87 | |
| Johnson Olaobaju Olabisi OMIDIORA (Balogun), B.Sc., OON, FCA. (Deceased) | 1987 – 88 | |
| Ebenezer Folorunsho OKE, (Chief) B.Sc., FCA (Deceased) | 1988 – 89 | |
| HH. The Otunba Ayora (Dr.) Bola KUFORIJI-OLUBI, B.Sc, FCA, OON, MON, (Deceased) | 1989 – 90 | |
| Michael Ayodeji ONI, B.Sc., FCA | 1990 – 91 | |
| Cornelius Oladipupo Sunday OSENI, B.Sc., FCA (Deceased) | 1991 – 92 | |
| Oluwole Alani ADEOSUN, (Chief) B.Sc. OON, FCA (Deceased) | 1992 – 93 | |
| Ismaila USMAN, (Mallam), FCA | 1993 – 94 | |
| Olutoyin Olusola OLAKUNRI, (Chief, Mrs.), OFR, FCA (Deceased) | 1994 – 95 | |
| Simeon Olusola OGUNTIMEHIN, (Sir) OON, FCA | 1995 – 96 | |
| Emmanuel Itoya IJEWERE, FCA (Deceased) | 1996 – 97 | |
| Agnes Adenike ADENIRAN (Princess), FCA | 1997 – 98 | |
| Dr. Sir Ike NWOKOLO OFR, KSC, CTA (UK), FCIT, FIMC, FBR, CA (SD), FCA (Deceased) | 1998 – 99 | |
| Adeboye Olugboyega, BADEJO (Chief), FCA | 1999 – 2000 | |
| Herbert Adewole AGBEBIYI (Sir) KJW, FCA | 2000 – 2001 | |
| Ugochukwu Stephen NWANKWO (Chief), FCA. (Deceased) | 2001 – 2002 | |
| Felix Kolawole BAJOMO (Chief), mni, FCA | 2002 – 2003 | |
| Jaiye Kofolaran, RANDLE, (Bashorun), FCA | 2003 – 2004 | |
| Ibironke Mojisola OSIYEMI (Mrs), FCA | 2004 – 2005 | |
| Abdul Lateef Adebayo OWOYEMI (Alhaji, Otunba), FCA | 2005 – 2006 | |
| Catherine Ginikanwa OKPAREKE, (Chief, Dr., Mrs.), B.A, MBA, D (Lit), MNIM, mni, FCA | 2006 – 2007 | |
| Abiodun BABINGTON-ASHAYE, (Prince), FCA (Deceased) | 2007 – 2008 | |
| Richard Uchechukwu UCHE, (Chief, Dr.), PhD, FCA | 2008 – 2009 | |
| Elizabeth Omeresan ADEGITE, (Chief, Mrs), B.Sc., MBA, FCA | 2009 – 2010 | |
| Sebastian Achulike OWUAMA (Major General) (rtd), B.Sc, FCA | 2010 – 2011 | |
| Francis OJAIDE (Professor) MSc., PhD, OON, FCA | 2011 – 2012 | |
| Doyin OWOLABI, B.Sc. (Econs.), MILR, FNIM, FCA | 2012 – 2013 | |
| Alhaji Kabir Alkali MOHAMMED, mni, FCIS, CGMA, FCA | 2013 – 2014 | |
| Chidi Onyeukwu AJAEGBU, FCS, MBF, Dip. (Polygraph), FCA | 2014 – 2015 | |
| Otunba Samuel Olufemi DERU, FNIM, JP, FCA (Deceased) | 2015 – 2016 | |
| Deacon Titus Alao SOETAN, FCA | 2016 – 2017 | |
| Isma`ila Muhammadu ZAKARI (Mallam), mni, FBR, FCA | 2017 – 2018 | |
| Razak JAIYEOLA (Alhaji), BSc, ACFE, CRISC, FCA | 2018 – 2019 | |
| Nnamdi Anthony OKWUADIGBO (Mazi) BSc, FCA | 2019 – 2020 | |
| Onome Joy ADEWUYI (Dame) BSc, MSc, FCIB, FCA | 2020 – 2021 | |
| Mrs Comfort Olu EYITAYO, CFA, mni, FCA | 2021 – 2022 | |
| Tijjani Musa Isa (Mallam) BSc, FCA | 2022 – 2023 | |
| Innocent Iweka Okwuosa, PhD, FCA
Chief Davidson Chizuoke Stephen Alaribe Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya |
2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-Present |
The ICAN president heads the council and committee structure. He/she is responsible for the policy direction and day-to-day oversight of the institute.
Source: icanig.org/ican/
Pioneering Female Leadership
Chief Olutoyin Olakunri (née Olusola), OFR, FCA, became the first female ICAN President (1994–95), notably Africa’s first female chartered accountant.
Presidents Turning National Figures
-
Anthony Ani, FCA, former KPMG chairman and later Minister of Finance (1994–98), served as ICAN President (date unspecified, mid-1990s).
-
Felix Kolawole Bajomo, FCA, served in 2002–03 before transitioning to public office as a senator.
Themes & Initiatives Through the Years
-
Professional standards: From AAN to ICAN, with rigorous exams and governance frameworks.
-
Gender inclusion: Milestone leadership by Chief Olakunri.
-
National influence: ICAN presidents transitioning to government roles.
-
Digital leap: AI, e-learning, and ICAN University pursued vigorously.
-
DIAMOND Era: Comprehensive agenda under Alaribe.
-
61st Presidency: Digital deepening, district engagement, global linkages.
In sum, ICAN’s presidential lineage charts a gradual evolution—from nation-building pioneers and inclusion champions to digital trailblazers and globally oriented leaders. Under Mallam Yahaya’s tenure, expect further strides in tech-led transformation and international collaboration.
Recommended:
ICAN District Societies (2025 Directory)
ICAN Delisting, Suspension & Re-admission (A Comprehensive Guide 2025)