Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | KatsinaTimes, – July 9, 2025
The Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) successfully concluded its third session of the 2025 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme in Katsina on Wednesday, July 9, with renewed commitments to ethical excellence, professional capacity building, and national development.
The four-day event, which began on July 6 at the Continental Events and Sports Centre in Katsina, drew hundreds of professional accountants, industry leaders, policymakers, students, and traditional rulers from across the country. Themed "Taxation and Compliance: Strategies for Professional Integrity in the Era of Digital Transformation," the conference underscored the role of accountants in fostering transparency and driving governance reforms in the digital age.
In her final address on the closing day, ANAN’s National President, Chief Hajiya Rakiyat Talatu Kishimi, FCNA, urged all members especially new inductees to remain committed to continuous learning and ethical conduct in their professional journey.
“This programme is not a mere formality,” she noted. “It is a defining tradition through which ANAN welcomes new members into a community built on discipline, transparency, and service to the nation.”
She congratulated newly inducted members, charging them to uphold the Association’s standards while emphasizing the importance of the MCPD as a tool to stay abreast with emerging trends, international standards, and technologies within the profession.
“Without continuous development, a professional becomes obsolete,” she warned. “That is why MCPD is a must, not an option.”
Hajiya Kishimi also stressed active participation in local branch activities, describing it as a non-negotiable duty for every ANAN member. “Your branch is your professional home, and your membership number is now your identity. Own it, know it, and use it in all correspondences,” she said.
The President concluded by thanking the Katsina State Government, facilitators, and members whose collective efforts contributed to the event’s success.
On Tuesday, Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State delivered the keynote address, calling on professional accountants to be agents of integrity and accountability in governance.
“As custodians of financial systems, you are the bedrock of transparency in public service,” he declared.
Governor Radda highlighted several anti-corruption reforms under his administration, including the establishment of the State Anti-Corruption Agency, adoption of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and enrolment in the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
The ANAN President praised Katsina's commitment to governance reforms, stating, “Under Governor Radda’s leadership, Katsina is undergoing a remarkable transformation.”
Chairman of the MCPD Committee, Professor Hassan Ibrahim, explained that the event forms part of a rotating national programme aimed at equipping ANAN members with practical skills for today’s financial challenges. The year’s focus on taxation, he said, aligns with the nation’s push for improved revenue generation and compliance.
The session also honoured Chief Hajiya Kishimi’s leadership and celebrated Katsina’s historical legacy as a hub of Hausa civilization.
Day two was marked by academic enlightenment and cultural diplomacy. The ANAN President led a delegation to Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, where lectures and mentorship sessions were delivered to students of accounting and commercial colleges.
Professor Luka Mailafia delivered a keynote on ANAN’s pivotal role in advancing accountancy in Nigeria, asserting that the association is “not just a certifying body, but a thought leader in the industry.”
In a parallel cultural engagement, ANAN officials paid courtesy visits to the Emirs of Katsina and Daura, where the discussion focused on ethics, youth empowerment, and strengthening trust in public institutions.
The team also visited historical sites including the Gobarau Minaret and Kusugu Well, connecting their professional mission with Nigeria’s cultural and historical roots.
The MCPD programme commenced with the arrival of Chief Hajiya Talatu Kishimi and her delegation in Katsina on July 6. Welcomed at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, the team proceeded to oversee the induction preparations and engage local officials.
The opening day laid the foundation for days of intense professional learning, highlighting ANAN’s commitment to global standards, regulatory compliance, and ethical accountability.
With over 59,000 members both in Nigeria and abroad, and affiliations with global institutions such as IFAC, PAFA, and ABWA, ANAN continues to reinforce its status as a world-class accountancy body.
The 2025 MCPD programme in Katsina ended with a resounding call for ethical leadership, branch engagement, and continued education among members. Participants expressed satisfaction with the knowledge gained, while the ANAN leadership reaffirmed its resolve to sustain professionalism and integrity in Nigeria’s financial systems.
As members returned to their respective destinations, the message was clear: Professionalism, integrity, and learning are non-negotiable pillars for building a better Nigeria.
