As digital technologies transform global business operations, MTN Nigeria has urged accountants and finance professionals to retool, upskill, and adopt emerging technologies to stay relevant in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Speaking at the 55th Annual Accountants Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Modupe Kadri, emphasized that the accounting profession must “urgently adapt” to disruptive trends such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and fintech innovations that are reshaping financial practice globally.
The 2025 ICAN conference, themed “Building Resilience – Aligning Reforms for Nigeria’s Development,” focused on promoting dialogue on how the country can break through structural and institutional barriers by leveraging innovation, accountability, and technology to drive sustainable progress.
“Everybody needs to upskill themselves. You have to retool, I’m retooling myself.
“What we were taught in school is not enough anymore.
“Professionals must now learn cloud skills, artificial intelligence, IT, and cybersecurity, those are what will define the future of accounting,” Kadri said during a media session on the sidelines of the conference.
Kadri noted that MTN Nigeria’s participation in the ICAN conference underscores the company’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation and equipping professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in a technology-driven economy.
“At MTN, we believe that the future of every profession, accounting inclusive, is digital,” he said. “Our partnership with ICAN demonstrates our support for Nigeria’s journey towards a smarter and more innovative economy. Accountants play a strategic role in national development, and we want to ensure they are not left behind as technology transforms business operations.”
He stated that MTN remains committed to investing in initiatives that foster digital literacy, enterprise innovation, and workforce resilience across Nigeria.
According to him, the company sees digital transformation not just as a business goal but as a national development priority that calls for collaboration between corporate organisations and professional institutions.
Kadri also highlighted the rising impact of artificial intelligence on financial management, describing it as both an opportunity and a challenge for the accounting profession.
He noted that while AI enhances efficiency, data analysis, and accuracy, it cannot substitute the human judgement essential to sound financial decision-making.
“AI can simplify processes and reduce review time, but it cannot replicate human experience,” he noted. “Professionals must learn to interpret AI-generated data intelligently rather than rely on it blindly.”
He urged accountants to pursue continuous learning and embrace new technologies to remain competitive and deliver greater value in an era of rapid transformation.
In his welcome address, ICAN President, Haruna Yahaya, described the annual conference as more than a professional gathering, portraying it as a national call to action for economic renewal and institutional resilience in the face of ongoing reforms and economic challenges.
“For 60 years, ICAN has helped shape Nigeria’s economic story, setting standards, mentoring generations, and influencing policy direction,” Yahaya said. “This year’s conference is about deepening Nigeria’s economic roots so that our nation can withstand the winds of change and align reforms for sustainable development.”
