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Barbara Bako, Abuja.
The Accountant-General of the Federation and Chairman of the Association of Accountant-Generals of Africa, Dr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, has said accountants have moved beyond traditional recordkeeping to become strategic partners in national development….
Speaking in Accra at the Africa Accountant-Generals Conference, held at the Accra International Conference Centre, he noted that global economic realities now demand accountants who can drive transparency, integrity, and long-term financial planning.
“The traditional view of accountants as mere bookkeepers no longer aligns with current realities,” he said.
He added that professionals in the field must embrace digital innovation, data-driven decision making, and financial transformation to remain relevant.
According to him, “Accountants are leaders. Our work is not simply to balance books; it is to balance the needs of today with the dreams of tomorrow.”
He stressed that every public resource whether Cedi, Franc, Naira or Dollar must translate into citizens’ prosperity, as decisions made by accountants directly impact millions of lives.
The conference drew government officials and accounting professionals from across Africa to discuss the expanding responsibilities of accountants in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
Ogunjimi highlighted their roles in strategic planning, risk management, financial forecasting, and navigating complex regulatory environments.
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He urged practitioners to leverage data to address economic volatility, identify growth opportunities and strengthen accountability in governance, describing accountants as “catalysts for economic growth and national transformation.”
In his remarks, economist and entrepreneur Tony Elumelu commended the Accountant-General for convening the gathering.
He said he attended not only as a private-sector leader but as a believer in Africa’s potential, emphasizing the need for deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Elumelu noted that the continent’s major challenge is not a lack of resources but a deficit of trust, integrity and credibility.
“Trust is built through predictability, transparency, and partnership. Trust is the currency of capital. Excellence in public finance is not a luxury — it is a necessity,” he said, urging accountants to champion digitalization and accountability across public financial systems.
Rabiu M. Hamza
Agency News
