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The esteemed figure of the accounting profession, Pa Akintola Williams, has peacefully passed away at the remarkable age of 104.
Pa Williams is widely recognized as the pioneer Sub-Saharan African to attain the prestigious status of a chartered accountant. He achieved this remarkable feat in 1949 by successfully passing the qualifying examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW).
This esteemed individual played a pivotal role in advancing the field of accountancy within his home country. His significant contributions include fostering the formation of the Association of Accountants in Nigeria, which later evolved into the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
He proceeded to become a founding member of ICAN and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which is now known as the Nigerian Exchange Group.
A seasoned administrator, Williams excelled as an accountant, management consultant, and serial entrepreneur during his active career.
After completing his early education in Nigeria, Williams earned a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a specialization in Banking and Finance from the University of London in 1946. He later became a qualified Chartered Accountant in England.
He served as an assessment officer with the Inland Revenue from 1950 to 1952. Subsequently, in 1952, he departed from the civil service to establish Akintola Williams & Co., which would later evolve into Deloitte & Touche Nigeria—the pioneering indigenous chartered accountants firm in Africa.
