Osasere Okundaye, who recently became Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant at the age of 16, has shared how determination, hard work and resilience helped her achieve the historic feat despite facing setbacks along the way.
Her achievement was announced by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on June 29 in a post on X, confirming that she had broken the previous record held by Jonathan Adewale, who qualified as a chartered accountant at 17.
Okundaye earned the qualification through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the country’s professional accounting body responsible for training, examining and certifying chartered accountants.
Most members qualify after completing university, making her accomplishment at just 16 particularly rare.
Speaking during a visit to the founder and General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Daniel Olukoya, Okundaye recounted how her parents encouraged her to pursue the qualification immediately after finishing secondary school.
“I started this ICAN journey three years ago, after finishing secondary school early. My parents encouraged me to start taking the ICAN examinations through ATS instead of just waiting around until I reached the right age for university.
“I wasn’t an accounting student in secondary school, so the examinations, especially at the first level, proved more difficult for me than for other people at the same level. I had to put in more effort, and with the grace of God, I was able to pass the first level. Ever since then, it has been success after success.”
The Accounting Technicians Scheme (ATS) serves as ICAN’s entry-level professional programme, preparing candidates for the chartered accountancy qualification.
Despite her remarkable achievement, Okundaye revealed that the journey included disappointment after failing one of her final examination papers.
“Last year, I failed one of my final papers, unfortunately, which I had to rewrite earlier this year in May, and 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”, she added.
Olukoya congratulated the teenager on her accomplishment and prayed for greater achievements in the future.
“This shall be the stepping stone to greater things in your life. May God who does wonders in your life, amen. As you’ve started like this, blessings shall not depart from your life,” he noted.
He also described her success as a testament to God’s faithfulness and the rewards of perseverance.
“Her journey is an inspiration to young people everywhere, proving that with God’s grace, determination, and a clear vision, age is never a barrier to greatness.
“Congratulations, Osasere! We pray that this remarkable milestone will be the beginning of even greater accomplishments and that God will continue to lead you from glory to glory.”
