Ahmed received the award in the Non-Members Diamond Category, a recognition reserved for distinguished leaders whose work promotes the values of professionalism, integrity, accountability and sound corporate governance beyond the accounting profession.

The award was presented by ICAN through the Office of its Registrar and Chief Executive, underscoring Ahmed’s growing reputation as a business leader committed to institutional excellence, financial discipline and sustainable value creation.

Reacting to the recognition, AXA Mansard’s General Counsel and Human Resources Director, Omowunmi Mabel-Adewusi, described the award as a testament to Ahmed’s leadership style and commitment to excellence.

She said the recognition reflects the impact of his stewardship at AXA Mansard, where he has championed a culture of innovation, customer-centricity and strong governance.

“Under Kunle’s leadership, AXA Mansard has remained focused on building a resilient, purpose-driven and customer-focused organisation. It is therefore not surprising that these qualities continue to attract recognition from respected institutions such as ICAN,” she said.

According to her, the award reinforces the company’s belief that responsible leadership and ethical business practices remain critical to long-term corporate success.

Speaking on the honour, Ahmed expressed appreciation to ICAN, noting that the recognition goes beyond personal achievement.

“I am honoured by this award from ICAN. I see it not only as a personal recognition but also as a tribute to the values of discipline, trust and stewardship that are essential for building enduring institutions in Nigeria,” he said.

Ahmed added that the recognition serves as motivation to continue driving innovation, industry transformation and positive societal impact through the company’s operations and initiatives.

“I am grateful to my colleagues at AXA Mansard and to everyone who has contributed to our journey. This recognition encourages us to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence and creating value for our stakeholders,” he said.

Industry stakeholders noted that ICAN’s decision to honour Ahmed reflects the growing role of corporate leaders in promoting transparency, accountability and sound governance across sectors of the economy.

As one of Nigeria’s foremost professional bodies, ICAN has played a pivotal role in advancing ethical standards and financial reporting practices, while recognising individuals whose contributions support the development of strong institutions and sustainable business growth.

For AXA Mansard, the recognition is expected to further strengthen its reputation as a leading insurance and financial services company committed to responsible leadership, operational excellence and long-term value creation.

The initiative spans digital and IT literacy, financial and economic literacy, creative arts and design, business and entrepreneurship, as well as hospitality and tourism.

At a recent signing ceremony held in Lagos, Easybuy was named the Official Device Financing and Lifestyle Partner for the Federal Government of Nigeria–approved training initiative.

The programme is being launched by the Office of the Vice President through the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), and implemented by WAWUAfrica, in collaboration with key development partners, including Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Women, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Trade & Investment, the World Bank, African Union Sixth Region Global, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Others are, leading professional bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA), Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), and the Nigeria Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NIIE).

“Smartphones have become essential for participation in today’s economy, yet millions of Nigerians still face barriers to accessing the devices they need,” said Abdul-gaffar Adesoji, sales director of Easybuy Nigeria. “As the Official Device Financing and Lifestyle Partner for this great initiative, Easybuy will support WAWUAfrica’s mission by bridging the smart device access gap, empowering underserved communities across the country, and unlocking new economic opportunities for Nigerians through inclusive financing solutions.”

“To boost Nigeria’s economic and financial inclusion drive, as part of our contribution to the initiative, Easybuy will be providing up to 10,000 of sales jobs to trained participants among the 10 million beneficiaries of this worthwhile initiative. The Easybuy team is dedicated to bringing an easier life to millions of Nigerians across the country,” Adesoji further noted.

Commenting on the partnership, Emmanuel Lennox, Chief Executive Officer of WAWUAfrica, said:

“This partnership reflects a deliberate shift from skills acquisition as an end, to skills deployment as a driver of national productivity. By integrating Easybuy’s device financing into the WAWUAfrica training ecosystem, we are ensuring that participants are not just trained, but fully equipped to participate meaningfully in today’s digital economy. It is a model designed to remove structural barriers and accelerate inclusion at scale.”

“What we are building with Easybuy is a closed-loop system for economic transformation, one that connects skills training and real earning opportunities in a continuous cycle. Individuals are given access to acquire smartphones through Easybuy, receive free training, and participate in income-generating activities from sales roles. The result is a scalable model that doesn’t just prepare people for jobs, it actively enables new businesses, and empowers a new generation of Nigerians to earn, grow, and contribute sustainably to the economy,” Lennox added.

Despite rising connectivity, a significant access gap persists, with over 120 million Nigerians still offline, largely due to the high cost of smartphones. As mobile devices remain the primary gateway to financial inclusion, education, and commerce, affordability continues to limit market penetration. This gap represents a substantial growth opportunity for scalable financing models to accelerate digital inclusion while unlocking new consumer markets and economic value. This is where Easybuy comes in, offering affordable device financing plans, and empowering millions of users to purchase quality mobile phones through flexible repayments.

This partnership with WAWUAfrica is a strategic response to Nigeria’s economic and financial inclusion gap. Despite steady progress, nearly 29 million adult Nigerians are still excluded from the financial system and only about 52% of the population hold bank accounts. With rural and low-income communities disproportionately affected, the gap offers an opportunity for scalable, mobile-driven financial solutions like the partnership between WAWUAfrica and Easybuy that can unlock access, drive adoption, and accelerate inclusive economic growth.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had dissolved the Board and Management of Polaris Bank on Wednesday.

In a statement by Mrs Sidi Ali, Hakama, the acting director of Corporate Communication of CBN, on the Bank’s verified X handle @cenbank directed Mr. Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola, the newly appointed MD/CEO of Polaris Bank to assume his role with immediate effect.

SO, who is Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola?

Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola has a strong educational background that has equipped him with the knowledge and skills to excel in the banking industry. Here are some of his educational qualifications:

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos.

He has a Master of Business Administration degree from the Netherlands Business School.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

He is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School, the Columbia University Graduate School of Business and the University of Oxford.

Career

Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola has a long and successful career in the banking industry, spanning over 25 years.

He has worked in various capacities and sectors, such as corporate and investment banking, treasury, risk management, and business development.

He has also led and executed many strategic projects, initiatives, and transactions that have added value to the organizations he worked for and the customers he served. Here is a summary of his career path:

He started his career in 1998 as a Senior Manager at Prime Merchant Bank, where he was responsible for managing the bank’s treasury operations and foreign exchange dealings.

In 2000, he joined Ecobank Nigeria as a Group Head of Corporate Banking, where he oversaw the bank’s portfolio of corporate clients in various sectors, such as oil and gas, telecommunications, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

In 2003, he moved to Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria as a Regional Executive of Corporate and Institutional Banking, where he led the bank’s business development and relationship management activities in the South-West region of Nigeria.

In 2006, he was appointed as the Executive Director of Corporate and Investment Banking at Sterling Bank Plc, where he was in charge of the bank’s strategic business units, such as corporate banking, institutional banking, project finance, structured finance, and trade finance.

In 2018, he left Sterling Bank to set up Intermediate Equity Partners Limited, a Lagos-based firm that provides advisory and consultancy services to corporate and institutional clients in various sectors and markets.

In 2020, he became the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fractional Investment Services Limited, a real estate company that offers innovative and affordable housing solutions to Nigerians.

In 2024, he was appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, one of the largest commercial banks in Nigeria, with over 300 branches and millions of customers.

He led the successful acquisition and integration of Equitorial Trust Bank by Sterling Bank in 2011, which increased the bank’s assets, branches, and customer base.

He initiated and executed several landmark transactions in the corporate and investment banking space, such as the $1.2 billion MTN Nigeria syndicated loan, the $1 billion Dangote Cement bond issuance, and the $300 million Lafarge Africa rights issue.

He was instrumental in developing and implementing the Sterling Bank’s corporate transformation strategy, which improved the bank’s performance, profitability, and reputation.

He received several awards and recognition for his leadership and excellence, such as the Banker of the Year Award by the Nigerian Leadership Awards, the Most Outstanding Banker of the Year Award by the Nigerian Bankers’ Merit Awards, and the Most Influential Banker of the Year Award by the Nigerian Banking and Finance Awards.

CITN’s chairman for Abuja chapter, Kennedy Iwundu, raised this concern during the CITN Week held in Abuja on Thursday.

He emphasized that the prevailing multiple taxation problem has driven some investors to opt for importation rather than establishing production companies, resulting in adverse effects on the country’s business landscape.

Speaking at the CITN Week, themed ‘Tax Reforms Digitalisation and Its Impact on Doing Business In Nigeria,’ Kennedy Iwundu urged tax professionals to focus on the current tax system and devise effective solutions to be presented for tax reforms.

He highlighted that the existing scenario, where the Federal, State, and Local Government Areas each have an extensive list of taxes and levies, poses a significant hindrance to business growth.

Iwundu stressed that the excessive burden of multiple taxation discourages both foreign and local investments from contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

The complexity of the current tax system, which includes multiple federal taxes such as company income tax and various sector-specific collections, presents a serious challenge for investors, according to the CITN chairman.

In a show of support for the Federal Government’s initiatives, the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria applauded the establishment of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

President Bola Tinubu recently signed four Executive Orders, including the suspension of the five percent excise tax on telecommunication services and excise duties on locally manufactured vehicles.

Mr. Samuel Agbeluyi, the President of CITN, expressed high expectations that the committee’s mandate would lead to enhanced revenue collection efficiency, promote transparency, foster a healthy tax culture, and encourage voluntary compliance.

To encourage a favorable business climate and attract foreign and local investments, stakeholders stress the urgency of implementing tax reforms and digitalization to streamline the taxation process and alleviate the burden of multiple taxes on businesses in Nigeria.

As the CITN’s call for action gains momentum, the government’s Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms will be tasked with devising and implementing measures to address the issue of multiple taxation and create a more conducive environment for business growth.

Stakeholders hope that these efforts will foster increased foreign investments and bolster the Nigerian economy in the long run

This partnership aims to bolster the effectiveness of regulation and investor protection in the Nigerian capital market, promoting professionalism, ethics, integrity, and transparency.

The agreement signifies a significant milestone in the relationship between NGX RegCo and ICAN, highlighting their joint commitment to the development of the capital market and the financial services industry in Nigeria.

By harnessing capacity building and information sharing, the collaboration seeks to foster a culture of competence and professionalism, driving market development and improving the quality of corporate reporting in the capital market.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tinuade Awe, CEO of NGX RegCo, emphasized the importance of effective regulation in creating market fairness. Awe expressed confidence in the collaboration with ICAN, stating, “We have a long history of over 60 years in the context of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, but for NGX RegCo post-demutualisation, this is truly a historic moment.

We believe that this cause we are deliberately undertaking will enable both parties to deliver efficiently on our shared objectives.”

Innocent Okwuosa, ICAN President, echoed the sentiments of collaboration, highlighting the role of accountants in financial reporting and their influence on investor decisions.

Okwuosa stressed that the partnership between NGX RegCo and ICAN would foster a robust and transparent capital market ecosystem, attracting investment, encouraging growth, sustainability reporting, and safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders.

The strategic alliance between NGX RegCo and ICAN is expected to have a profound and positive impact on the Nigerian capital market. It aims to promote investor confidence, strengthen regulatory oversight, and elevate professional standards within the industry.

Additionally, ICAN pledged to advise the government on supporting increased capital flows to the market, demonstrating its commitment to market development.

Recognizing the importance of technology in easing reporting and regulation, both NGX RegCo and ICAN emphasized the need for collaboration in order to fulfill their mandates of investor protection, fair and transparent markets, and compliance with global best practices.

The partnership aims to leverage technology to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in these areas.

As Nigeria’s capital market looks towards a brighter future, the collaboration between NGX RegCo and ICAN sets the stage for enhanced regulation, investor protection, and sustainable market growth.

The joint efforts of these institutions will undoubtedly contribute to a more robust and transparent capital market ecosystem in Nigeria.

One of the notable fields that are being increasingly influenced by technology is the accounting and finance industry, which is being transformed through innovations in automation, cloud-based services, artificial intelligence and unprecedented access to data.

Indeed, technology in accounting and financial planning has transformed the sector with newer and advanced software, and its ability to ensure accuracy and reduce errors, which helps businesses avoid tax penalties and other issues. Furthermore, it is now much easier to organise audits in a highly efficient manner.

In Nigeria, the rising impact of technology on accounting processes is illustrated in the emergence of innovative financial management systems such as the federal government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the rise of the booming fintech sector which has provided thousands of jobs for Nigerians and helped millions of organisations and individuals process financial transactions more efficiently.

Today, Nigeria has become the leading fintech hub in Africa with several products providing innovative solutions servicing millions of people in diverse sectors.

These products include Paystack, Flutterwave, Remita and Quickteller facilitating payment, Piggyvest, Carbon and Palmpay facilitating lending and investment, and Paylink and Opay facilitating remittance amongst several others. To stimulate efficiency and fast track business growth in a tough, highly competitive, and rapidly changing market, organisations in Nigeria need to maximize the leverage provided by fintech and other digital technology solutions.

Last month, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) also underlined this increased collaboration when the Institute’s 57th president, Mrs. Comfort Eyitayo, paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of African technology giant, SystemSpecs, as a major stakeholder of the prestigious accounting institute.

One of the oldest technology firms in Nigeria and a pioneer of the fintech revolution, SystemSpecs was founded in 1992 by a former banker, John Obaro.

 It is known for its innovative revolutionary products in financial technology, human capital management and ecommerce.

Some of the company’s popular solutions include HumanManager, Paylink, and Remita which has already become a household name.

Congratulating the company on its ‘Three Decades of Innovation and Impact’, the ICAN boss said it is noteworthy that SystemSpecs has operated for three decades while developing topnotch human capital and financial management software for the Nigerian and African economies.

With its flagship products, Remita and HumanManager, SystemSpecs is one of the firms revolutionizing financial planning and management in Nigeria. For instance, HumanManager is an all-in-one solution that takes care of payroll, reporting, staff record, performance, and human capital management needs for organizations across Africa whilst Remita has helped thousands of individuals, corporate organizations and governments organise their finances more efficiently with its aggregated interface enabling people to access all their bank accounts vis one dashboard. Remita has also acquired a reputation as a national product with its adoption as the technology powering the TSA.

The TSA is an essential public finance management reform agenda recommended by the World Bank to ensure proper oversight of government cash flows and reduce the cost of keeping public money in several commercial banks. Like several other countries around the world, it was embraced by the Nigerian government to facilitate a unified structure of government bank account for all public sector transactions. Along the line, it has also become a major instrument of campaign for zero tolerance for corruption.

The TSA has been so successful that over N45 billion in interest rates is currently being saved by government on a monthly basis, according to the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed. TSA has allowed, for the first time, visibility of the total quantity of government funds at any point in time. This has Increased transparency in government processes and brought governance closer to the average citizen.

Besides the joint federal government accounts, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has also transformed financial management for many government agencies through the maximisation of technology. A very good case is the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The exam body’s increasing compliance with strict government financial policies, such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has made it possible for it to increase revenue and reduce prices, making its examinations more accessible to millions of indigent students.

While speaking at a colloquium in May 2018, JAMB’s Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, had said the examination body’s yearly remittances before 2017 was a meagre N52 million but had now increased to N7.8 billion under his administration.