The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) is taking concrete steps aimed at aligning professional excellence with meaningful contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

The institute stated this at its 20th Western Zonal Accountants’ Conference, in Lagos, with the theme ‘Revitalising the Nigerian Economy for Sustainable Development: Accelerating New Frontiers.’

Speaking on the role of ICAN in national development, the 11th Western Zonal Chairman, Ganiyu Semiu, said the conference was designed to address Nigeria’s prevailing economic realities and the evolving demands of the global economy.

According to him, the theme reflects the institute’s aspiration to align professional excellence with national transformation, while reinforcing the role of chartered accountants as trusted advisers and custodians of accountability in both the public and private sectors.

“The theme underscores the critical role of chartered and professional accountants as stewards of accountability and architects of sustainable growth in an evolving global economy,” he said.

In a similar vein, the Chairman of the 20th Western Zonal Conference, Kolawole Bisiriyu, noted that the outcomes of the conference are expected to influence policy and strategic decision-making.

“We are not gathered merely to learn and network; we are here to influence the national trajectory through strategic decision-making,” he said, adding that eminent global thought leaders had been invited to provide actionable insights.

On ICAN’s standards and ethical framework, the Deputy Conference Chairman, Godwin Emmanuel, said the institute remained guided by integrity, objectivity and defined principles that align with modern economic practices.

He explained that ICAN continually reviews its syllabus to ensure relevance to current economic needs, noting that the conference serves as a major platform for professionals from practice, industry, and academia to exchange ideas on economic organisation and sustainability.