Osasere Okundaye, Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant, has credited her parents’ encouragement for helping her achieve the milestone at the age of 16.
According to TheCable on Sunday, July 5, 2026, Okundaye said her parents advised her to begin the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Accounting Technicians Scheme (ATS) examinations immediately after completing secondary school rather than waiting until she was old enough for university admission.
She explained that although she did not study accounting in secondary school, she embraced the challenge and began her professional journey early. Okundaye said the process was demanding, and she failed one of her final papers last year but remained determined, rewrote the examination and passed it earlier this year.
“I am 16 years old. I started this ICAN journey three years ago after finishing my secondary school early. My parents encouraged me to start writing the ICAN examinations through ATS instead of just waiting around until I got to the right age for university,” she said.
