The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Ojo, Badagry and Agbara (OBA) District Society has highlighted the relevance of the Accounting Technician Scheme of West Africa (ATSWA) to young schools leavers.

Mr Taiwo Folaranmi, Chairman of the district society, said at the ‘2022 Catch Them Young’ programme in Lagos on Saturday, that the event was part of activities following his recent inauguration as the fourth chairman of the district.

According to him, more than 350 students of vocational studies of the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) Ojo/Ijanikin and SS3 students of the LASUED International School were participants at the programme.

He noted that the programme was organised to introduce ATSWA to the school leavers, as well as guide them on existing career alternatives, that could assist them attain their life goals.

The institute’s chairman expressed worry that about 80 per cent of school leavers churned out into the society, ended up not achieving their educational target.

Folaranmi said that was majorly due to students’ inability to pass the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as well as  incomplete Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) result.

He explained that sometimes, wrong choices of course of study or lack of professional qualification that would raise them above poverty level, were also contributory factors.

“Our society expects that by the fifth or sixth years after graduation from secondary school, students should have been graduates of chosen professions, but these has not been so.

“ICAN in 1989 taught it wise to reduce the number of students waiting at home to gain admission through JAMB by creating a programme called ATSWA.

“The purpose is to ensure that all social science,  business administration and even other science students, wishing to broaden their knowledge in accountancy and auditing may enroll and be given direct admission after completion.

“Our expectation is to help students to be able to change their choices of careers, escape all challenges by combining ICAN for better opportunities,” he said.

According to him, graduates of ATSWA programme are awarded membership certificate by ICAN known as AAT certificate and can move to the professional ICAN examination to qualify as global chartered accountants.

Folaranmi noted that ATSWA programme was affordable and could be run alongside a National Certificate in Education (NCE) or degree programme.

He said: “With AAT certificate, you will gain admission into universities in Nigeria and West Africa countries, get direct admission for HND programmes in Polytechnics and get good job as an accounting officer or audit assistant, among others.

Mrs Ekundayo Adedoyin, Counselor, Lagos State Ministry of Education, District Five, told the students that ICAN as one of the professional bodies cares about them, especially through its Catch Them Young programme, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education.

Ekundayo commended Folaranmi who had been the Chairman of the Catch Them Young Programme in the district, before his emergence as the district’s chairman, for his immense contributions.

Other speakers at the event include; Mr Ismail Bello, the district Vice Chairman and Fellow, ICAN, Acting Vice Chancellor, LASUED, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye,  represented by Dr Samuel Egbetokun, pioneer Chairman, ICAN OBA, among others.