Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant, Osasere Okundaye, has credited her parents’ guidance and support for helping her qualify as a chartered accountant at the age of 16.
According to TheCable on Sunday, July 5, 2026, Okundaye said her parents encouraged her to begin the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Accounting Technicians Scheme (ATS) examinations immediately after completing secondary school instead of waiting to become eligible for university admission.
She said the decision marked the start of her accounting career, although the journey was challenging because she had not studied accounting in secondary school. Okundaye disclosed that she failed one of her final examination papers last year but remained determined, rewrote the paper 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.
The achievement earned Okundaye recognition as Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant at 16.
