Seven interesting facts about Haruna Yahaya, new ICAN President

Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya, mni, FCA, has been inaugurated as the 61st President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), following a formal investiture ceremony held at the Institute’s headquarters in Lagos.

With decades of experience spanning both the private and public sectors, Yahaya brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the helm of ICAN.

He succeeds Mr. Davidson Alaribe, under whose administration the Institute recorded remarkable growth and broadened its national presence.

Here are seven interesting facts about him;

1. Diverse academic background

Mallam Yahaya holds a BSc in Accounting from Bayero University, Kano in 1986, a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (1989), and an MBA from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1999.

He further enhanced his leadership skills by completing the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in 2018

2. Founder of Haruna Yahaya & Co.

In 2002, he established Haruna Yahaya & Co., a chartered accounting and tax consultancy firm with offices in Minna, Abuja, Kaduna, and Lagos.

The firm is recognized among Nigeria’s top ten accounting firms and is affiliated with MGI Worldwide, a global network of accounting firms.

3. Pioneer in extractive industry auditing

Under his leadership, Haruna Yahaya & Co. became the first firm to audit Nigeria’s Solid Minerals and Oil & Gas sectors for the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), demonstrating a commitment to financial transparency in critical industries.

4. Longstanding ICAN council member

Mallam Yahaya has been an active member of ICAN’s Governing Council since 2011, contributing to various committees in roles such as Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and member, reflecting his dedication to the advancement of the accounting profession.

5. Board memberships across sectors

Beyond his firm, he serves on the boards of several organizations, including Edusoko University, Suleja Smart City Company Limited, Niger State Water and Sewage Corporation, and Edumana Micro Finance Bank Limited, where he has been Chairman since 2012.

6. International exposure and training

Mallam Yahaya has enhanced his expertise through international training programs, including courses at Harvard University in the USA and Euromoney Training in London, equipping him with global perspectives in financial management.

7. Advocate for professional growth and ethics

As ICAN’s former Vice President and Chairman of the AATWA Executive Committee, he emphasized the importance of ethics, responsibility, and continuous learning to new accounting technicians, encouraging them to uphold high professional standards.