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Nigeria’s Youngest Chartered Accountant, 16-Year-Old Osasere Okundaye, Shares Inspiring Journey to ICAN Success
Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant, Osasere Okundaye, has shared the inspiring story of how she began her journey with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) at just 13 years old after completing her secondary education ahead of schedule.
Okundaye, now 16, spoke on Saturday during the Power Must Change Hands monthly programme at the headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) in Magboro, Ogun State.
Her remarks came days after the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced her as Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant in a statement released on Monday, describing her achievement as “a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, resilience and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Recounting her journey, Okundaye said her parents encouraged her to pursue ICAN’s Accounting Technicians Scheme (ATS) examinations instead of waiting until she was old enough to gain admission into a university.
“I am 16 years old. I started this ICAN journey three years ago after finishing my secondary school early,” she said.
“My parents encouraged me to start writing the ICAN examinations through ATS instead of just waiting around until I got to the right age for university.”
She revealed that the journey was particularly demanding because she had no background in accounting during her secondary school education.
“I wasn’t an accounting student in secondary school, so the exams, especially at the first level, proved very difficult—more difficult than they probably were for other people at the same level,” she said.
“But I had to put in extra effort, and with the grace of God, I was able to pass that first level. Ever since then, it has been a success.”
The teenager also spoke candidly about a major setback she encountered after failing one of her final professional examination papers last year.
“Last year, I failed one of my final papers, which I had to rewrite earlier this year in May,” she recalled.
“To the glory of God, I passed that examination, and now I can say that I am a qualified accountant of the institute at 16 years old.”
Okundaye’s achievement has drawn widespread commendation and further highlights the growing number of young Nigerians excelling in professional examinations. Her accomplishment comes a year after Temilola Blossom Arise, who qualified as a chartered accountant at the age of 18 while studying at the University of Ilorin.
Vanguard report that her story has been widely celebrated as an example of perseverance, academic excellence and the impact of early mentorship and family support in nurturing exceptional talent.
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