Nigeria’s youngest Chartered Accountant, Osasere Okundaye, shares inspiring journey to success at 16

Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant, Osasere Okundaye, has opened up on the remarkable journey that saw her qualify as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) at just 16 years old.

Okundaye shared her inspiring story on Saturday during the Power Must Change Hands monthly programme held at the headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) in Magboro, Ogun State.

The teenager, whose achievement has attracted widespread praise across the country, revealed that she began her ICAN journey at the age of 13 after completing her secondary school education much earlier than most of her peers.

According to her, rather than waiting until she reached the age required for university admission, her parents encouraged her to take advantage of the period by pursuing professional accounting qualifications through ICAN’s Accounting Technicians Scheme (ATS).

Speaking before the congregation, Okundaye said the decision proved to be life-changing, although the path was far from easy.

“I am 16 years old, and I started this ICAN journey three years ago after finishing secondary school early,” she said.

“My parents advised me to begin writing the ICAN examinations through ATS instead of simply waiting until I was old enough to enter the university. Looking back now, that decision has made a huge difference in my life.”

She explained that one of the major challenges she faced was her lack of an accounting background during her secondary school years.

Unlike many candidates who had studied accounting before attempting the examinations, Okundaye had to learn the fundamentals from scratch while preparing for the highly demanding professional tests.

“I was not an accounting student in secondary school, so the examinations, especially the first level, were very challenging for me,” she said.

“I had to put in much more effort than I expected. There were moments when it felt overwhelming, but I remained focused and determined. With God’s help and consistent hard work, I successfully passed the first stage, and that gave me the confidence to continue.”

Despite her impressive progress, the young accountant disclosed that she experienced a setback last year when she failed one of her final professional examination papers.

Rather than allowing the disappointment to derail her ambition, she chose to work harder and prepare for a resit.

“Last year, I unfortunately failed one of my final papers, which meant I had to rewrite the examination earlier this year in May,” she recalled.

“It was a difficult moment because I had come so far, but I refused to give up. I prepared again, sat for the paper, and by the grace of God, I passed. Today, I am proud to say that I am a qualified accountant of the institute at the age of 16.”

Her achievement has been celebrated by many Nigerians, including the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who described the feat as a shining example of dedication, resilience and excellence among young people.

In a statement congratulating the teenager, the minister said her success demonstrates what can be achieved through hard work, discipline and commitment to personal development.

Okundaye’s accomplishment also highlights the growing number of young Nigerians making remarkable strides in professional examinations and academic pursuits. Her story is expected to inspire students across the country to pursue their goals with determination, regardless of age or challenges.

With her qualification already secured at 16, many believe the young prodigy has only just begun what promises to be an outstanding career in the accounting profession.