Osasere Okundaye, a 16-year-old Nigerian student and the country’s youngest chartered accountant, has shared how her professional journey began when she enrolled for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) programme at just 13 years old after completing secondary school early.
Speaking during the Power Must Change Hands monthly programme at the headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in Magboro, Ogun State, she recounted how her parents guided her into taking the Accounting Technicians Scheme (ATS) route instead of waiting for university admission.
She explained that her decision to begin ICAN examinations early came after finishing secondary school ahead of time, despite not studying accounting while in school. According to her, the early stages of the exams were particularly tough due to her lack of background in the subject, but she pushed through with determination and support.
Okundaye also revealed she faced a setback after failing one of her final professional papers last year, which she later retook and passed earlier this year. With that success, she officially attained her qualification as a chartered accountant at 16.
Her achievement has been widely celebrated, including a congratulatory message from the Minister of Youth Development, who praised her discipline, resilience, and commitment to excellence.
Her milestone comes shortly after another young achiever, an 18-year-old student from the University of Ilorin, also passed ICAN’s professional stage examination.
