The Bursar of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Mrs Oluwafunmilola Yetunde Adekunle, has called for stronger engagement between professional accounting bodies and students of the University through sustained career talks, sensitisation programmes, mentorship and other student-focused initiatives.
Mrs Adekunle made the call on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, when members of the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN) led by the National Chairperson, Mrs Blessing Osakwe-Ogo, FCA, paid her a courtesy visit. The SWAN delegation, which comprised the Vice President, Mrs Tyna Babatope, FCA; Assistant Secretary, Mrs Modupe Gideon, FCA; Membership Secretary, Mrs Ijeoma Sam-Oburu, FCA; and other members of the association, was received by the Bursar along with top female Bursary staff in the Bursary Conference Room, Senate House, UNILAG.
In her welcome address, the Bursar commended SWAN for its efforts to promote the welfare of women and advance the accounting profession. She also encouraged more women to pursue professional examinations and become chartered accountants.
Mrs Adekunle observed that professional bodies needed to maintain a visible presence among students, particularly at a time when young people are exploring different professional qualifications and career pathways. She cited the visibility of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) as an example, noting that its consistent presence at programmes and engagements had enhanced students’ awareness of the organisation.
She added that UNILAG had consistently supported staff participation in professional conferences, noting that the University sends as many as 20 participants to the annual Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) conference. She stressed that stronger partnerships with professional bodies would create more opportunities for professional development.
Speaking on behalf of the SWAN delegation, the National Chairperson, Mrs Blessing Osakwe-Ogo, FCA, said the visit was primarily to meet with the Bursar who is a member of SWAN, and other members of the association within the University community.
She explained that SWAN, established 48 years ago as the women’s wing of ICAN, currently has more than 20,000 members. According to her, the Society’s mission is to support ICAN while encouraging more women to pursue careers in accountancy.
Mrs Osakwe-Ogo outlined some of the association’s programmes, including career talks in secondary schools, scholarships for indigent students studying accountancy, health talks by medical experts and seminars on sexual harassment in tertiary institutions. Other initiatives, she said, include bookkeeping seminars for non-accounting professionals, the provision of accounting books for libraries, charity outreaches to correctional centres, homes for the elderly and orphanages, as well as family picnics.
She stressed the importance of active membership, noting that membership goes beyond registration. Interested persons, she explained, are expected to join the association’s online meeting, held on the second Sunday of every month, complete the registration process and pay the required subscription. Regular participation, she added, would enable members to contribute to the Society’s programmes and benefit from its opportunities.
She also emphasised the need for functional SWAN chapters within institutions and called on members of the University community to advocate for the establishment of one at UNILAG. She clarified that chapters are granted by ICAN and said the delegation would engage the ICAN Registrar on the process.
The National Chairperson thanked the University for receiving the delegation and urged members to support one another in advancing the participation and professional development of women in accounting. She also encouraged the Bursar to promote awareness of SWAN among members of the University community and invited women in the University to “be a part of the train.”
Also speaking at the event, Dr Omowunmi Jumoke Ogunleye of the Department of Accounting, University of Lagos, called for more student-oriented programmes that would expose students to professional opportunities from an early stage.
She advocated more deliberate engagement through career talks, sensitisation programmes and professional development activities, while calling for greater visibility of professional accounting organisations among the Department’s accounting students.
Dr Ogunleye noted that the Department already enjoyed a strong relationship with professional organisations and encouraged ICAN and SWAN to build on this relationship by creating more opportunities for students to interact directly with practising professionals. According to her, such engagements would help students develop a sense of belonging to the profession and appreciate the value of professional membership before graduation.
The visit concluded with an exchange of gifts between the Bursar and the delegation. The engagement provided an avenue to discuss deeper collaboration between the University and SWAN, particularly in the areas of student development, professional mentorship and career guidance.
Report: Lynda Onah
Photograph: Maleeq D. Quadri (Intern)
