The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has charged the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to place the National Values Charter at the heart of accounting practice in Nigeria, describing the profession as a critical vehicle for entrenching the values of integrity, accountability, and transparency in the nation’s economic life.
Speaking at the Abuja Accounting Week 2026, themed “Value Re-orientation and Professionalism: Cornerstone for Socio-Economic Development”, the DG, represented by the Director of Communication and Media, Mallam Bala Musa, said there is a growing realisation that sustainable development is not built on resources alone but on values, and that no nation can rise above the quality of its values.
Issa-Onilu emphasised that professionalism must extend beyond mere technical competence, noting that it should be firmly rooted in character and reflected through honesty in reporting, discipline in practice, respect for due process, and an unwavering commitment to accountability.
The DG further stated that, in recognition of this imperative, the Agency developed the National Values Charter as a renewed social contract between government and citizens, founded on mutual responsibility and a shared commitment to nation-building.
While emphasising the importance of integrating the principles of the charter into the accounting profession, Onilu said that ICAN can help nurture a generation of professionals who not only excel in competence but also embody the values needed to drive national transformation.
The DG described the partnership between NOA and ICAN as more than a means of strengthening professional practice, noting that it also sends a clear and powerful message that integrity, accountability, and merit remain non-negotiable standards in Nigeria’s pursuit of sustainable development.
In his welcome address, the 15th Chairman of the ICAN Abuja and District Society, Dr Michael Nnachi Okpara, noted that the conference theme highlights the pressing need for Nigerians especially professionals, to critically reassess their values, reinforce ethical standards, and renew their commitment to the principles that underpin sustainable development.
He also urged chartered accountants to prioritise the public interest above personal considerations, and to carry out their duties with the highest standards of excellence, integrity, and professional competence.
The conference held at the FCT Exhibition Pavilion also featured the presentation of a souvenir to the DG NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu. It was attended by participants from across the country, including accountants, tax practitioners, members of the press, among others.
