How Akintola Williams died

Nigeria’s pioneering chartered accountant, Akintola Williams, has passed away at the remarkable age of 104, according to PUNCH Online reports. The doyen of accounting breathed his last at his residence in Lagos on Monday.

Born in 1919, Akintola Williams made significant contributions to the field of accounting in Nigeria and beyond. He embarked on his educational journey by attending Yaba Higher College on a UAC scholarship, where he obtained a diploma in commerce. In 1944, he furthered his education by traveling to England to study at the University of London, specializing in Banking and Finance, and graduating in 1946 with a Bachelor of Commerce. He continued his studies and became a chartered accountant in England in 1949.

In 1952, he achieved another milestone by establishing the first indigenous chartered accounting firm in Africa, known as Akintola Williams & Co, located in Lagos. He was also a founding member and the inaugural president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Akintola Williams played a pivotal role in the founding of the Association of Accountants in Nigeria in 1960, aiming to train accountants in the country, and he served as its first president. Additionally, he made invaluable contributions to the establishment of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the nation, the Nigerian Government honored him with the Order of the Federal Republic in 1982. Furthermore, Queen Elizabeth bestowed upon him the title of Commander of the British Empire in April 1997.