Osasere Okundaye Sets Record as Youngest CA in Nigeria

Osasere Okundaye, a 16-year-old, is the youngest chartered accountant in Nigeria to achieve the feat that has placed her in a class of her own in the eyes of the Nigerian government, the accounting profession and the public. Her achievement, which followed the rigorous certification process of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), is a new record in Nigeria and a testament to the achievements of the youths in professional education.

Okundaye was able to get this prestigious qualification after passing ICAN's difficult professional examinations, one of the toughest in Nigeria. It normally takes years of hard study to earn a qualification and is usually obtained by a university graduate or an experienced worker. This achievement is thus said to be outstanding for a 16 year-old African girl, especially in Nigeria's accounting profession.

She beats the previous national record, which was established in 2022 by Jonathan Adewale becoming the youngest chartered accountant in Nigeria at age 17. Okundaye's qualification is a new benchmark for academic and professional excellence in the country.

In an official statement, Nigeria's Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, congratulated the teenager, saying she has demonstrated the principles of hard work, discipline, resilience and excellence. The minister noted that the achievements of Okundaye was proof of the huge potential of the Nigerian youths if they are given the opportunity, determination and the enabling environment to flourish.

Key Highlights:

• Osasere Okundaye became Nigeria's youngest chartered accountant at 16
• She broke the previous record held by a 17-year-old
• The Nigerian government praised her achievement as an inspiration to young people

Olawande said he "heartily congratulated" Miss Osasere Okundaye for becoming the youngest Chartered Accountant in Nigeria at the tender age of 16. He said that her achievement is a reminder to the young people of Nigeria that they can break barriers, set new records and inspire others in the society with dedication and perseverance.

The minister also recognized the importance of the parents, teachers, mentors and family members of Okundaye. He attributed their encouragement, sacrifice and faith in her abilities to contributing to her remarkable achievement. Olawande reiterated Federal Ministry of Youth Development's dedication to the implementation of programs and policies aimed at enabling the young Nigerians to attain their potentials to their fullest.

ICAN is the professional accounting body in Nigeria that is responsible for training, examination and certification of Chartered Accountants in the country. It has a series of exams throughout its qualification process, involving financial reporting, auditing, taxation, corporate strategy and more. In general, a candidate takes several years to prepare for the exams, and then after passing the exams, they receive the chartered accountant designation; Okundaye's achievement of the chartered accountant designation at such a young age is noteworthy.

Okundayye's success is coming on the heels of growing recognition of outstanding academic achievements by youths of Nigerians. Her success comes on the heels of the success of another student, Temilola Blossom Arise, of the University of Ilorin, who passed the ICAN's Professional Stage exam in 2025. All of these milestones are emblematic of a trend of high-caliber young students performing at an outstanding level in tough career areas.

The news of Osasere Okundaye's historic feat is being hailed not just as a triumph for him but as a moment of inspiration to students and aspiring professionals throughout Nigeria. Her career highlights a testament to the fact that age is no barrier to greatness, and that with hard work, solid education and a robust support network, anything is possible.