The Oluyole and District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has held the second edition of its annual secondary school quiz competition in Ibadan, bringing together more than 50 students from 17 schools.
The competition, held on Friday at Rotary House, Iyaganku, Ibadan, is part of the district’s efforts to introduce young people to accountancy and encourage secondary school students to consider careers in the profession.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Oluyole and District Society of ICAN, Dr Olawale Dopemu, said the initiative was organised in line with the institute’s “Catch Them Young” philosophy.
According to him, the programme is particularly targeted at commercial students and is designed to increase their awareness of accounting and the opportunities available within the profession.
“We are ICAN and we want to project that theme. That is why we are having this competition for commercial students in our various schools,” Dopemu said.
He explained that Friday’s competition served as the screening stage, with successful students expected to proceed to the final round scheduled for October 9.
The eventual district winner will represent the Oluyole and District Society at the Western Zonal Conference.
Also speaking, Chairman of the district’s Catch Them Young Committee, Mr Akinjide Oyekunle, said the competition was designed to go beyond testing students’ academic knowledge by recognising hard work, discipline and excellence.
Oyekunle disclosed that the three best-performing students at the final stage would receive special awards, while other outstanding participants would be presented with certificates in recognition of their performances.
He added that the district champion could progress to compete at the FAME competition finals scheduled to hold in Ondo State in 2027.
Oyekunle encouraged parents, teachers and participating schools to continue supporting the students as they progress through the different stages of the competition.
Drawing a connection between the competition and the principles expected of professional accountants, he urged the students to place importance on both accuracy and integrity.
“Accuracy in your answers and integrity in your conduct… in accounting and in life, every figure must balance, and every character must stand,” he said.
The organisers said the competition forms part of efforts to expose secondary school students to the accounting profession at an early stage while encouraging academic excellence among young people in Ibadan.
